So...September Already? IWSG

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How is it possible for time to flow so swiftly? I can't believe it's already September, though, I'm very happy with the weather we've had. Not like some areas of our world where the heat is so extreme and lives are threatened every day.

The question for this month I answered last month, so will say instead that I'm so very proud to be a part of this group. I really appreciate all of the writers/artists here on IWSG, and love how diverse we all are. 

I've started reading again. I don't know why, but during Covid, I couldn't read. I stopped reading and wondered if it was just part of growing older. But, I'm not THAT old, and I'm back reading again, so perhaps it was a coping mechanism? I did so many other things, including crocheting and learning to knit. I practically lived in my garden...

I know lately I'm not the best at visiting or answering, and I'm sorry. I am slowly getting my butt back on the ball (literally! On an exercise ball) to spend more time here. To spend more time developing the stories I have lined up, waiting impatiently to be put on "paper." Husband is going in for second knee surgery so will have much time staying at home this fall. 

Thank you all for being a part of this community, for your support over the years, and for being who you are, wherever you are.

Please visit our wonderful co-hosts this month:

Sonia Dogra, J Lenni Dorner, Pat Garcia, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and  Meka James!

Ready to go see Barbie, pink as we can be! Saw Oppenheimer as well, both worth seeing IMO...

Hello December 2021! Hello IWSG!

 

Good morning Everyone! The beginning of the end of this year is today and what a way for this year to go out. At least we had (well, my family did) a more or less "normal" Thanksgiving, especially compared to last year. A new variant on the horizon is putting to bed the idea we can look forward to a new year without Covid, but, oh well. If this doesn't prove how "global" our world/economy/society is, I don't know what else can!

I am going into December with the mindset that I can finish this year with the love that I went into it with. For my family. For my friends. For my little lovey dog, and those in this world who make it such a bright place to be, even in the midst of chaos. I wish for all of you to have this brightness in your lives and outlooks on our world as well. May kindness, generosity, love and peaceful happiness be yours in these last days of 2021. May they overflow into the new year coming and continue on as long as possible.

I am grateful also to this community of writers who keep coming back, and keep supporting each other. I love being a part of IWSG even if I don't blog as much as I want. I am looking at next year as one of change and my writing will be a part of that change. More on that next year! I just wanted to acknowledge Alex, and all the wonderful folks/writers who make this blog hop possible for us to participate in. You all rock the writing world! 

Please visit our co-hosts this month and thank them for being such a wonderful part of our community:

PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and Jacqui Murray!

Question of the month is: What about writing stresses you, and what delights?

Thinking I have to make money with my writing stresses me. 

Not being able to put into words on paper what is in my head stresses me. 

Not being "good enough" stresses me.

Finding the mind link with the protagonist (s) in the story delights me! 

Writing a sentence and it comes out exactly as I hoped it would delights me! 

Finishing a novel delights me! 

Working with my graphic artist, formatter and editor delights me! 

So in the end, it's all good!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EACH AND ALL OF YOU

IWSG December - Baby It's Cold Outside!

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This Christmas we are staying in Ohio. It will be a "small" Christmas, one without the large, loving, boisterous family we usually spend it with. I am sad about that, but also happy to think of having a "small" Christmas. One with my husband and I, and perhaps our daughter (who lives close by, but might be busy); one where we share time with each other and maybe dream about the time to come next year when our life will change again. School for my husband will be over, and we will move on to wherever it is we are to be next. We have options! This is good! So this Christmas will be a quiet reflective and cosy gentle time before the big push through the last semester. I hope and wish all of you whatever you wish for this season and that next year will bring good things to you. Merry Everything!

December 4th (optional) question is:
Let's play a game. Imagine. Role-play. How would you describe your future writer self, your life and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?

Okay, first, I would add to the question by asking: Is living the dream what you thought it would be?

Now, imagining if I were living the dream...
My life is moving faster than I thought possible, and I am providing not only so my husband doesn't HAVE to work, but I've paid my children's student debt off and they are free! My daughter now works for me marketing me full time and is happy to schedule her life as she needs to. My husband teaches because he loves it, which is a bonus for us. My son is moving up the ladder in his chosen field and writing/singing when he wants, selling his songs and making his living doing what he loves. Enabling all this, I am busy writing, giving my stories wings and loving having a full life.  

Our wonderful co-hosts for December 4th are:

   Tonja Drecker,

Beverly Stowe McClure,

 Nicki Elson,
Fundy Blue,
Tyrean Martinson! 

Please go by their blogs and thank them!

Please visit these websites below for more information on helping our planet, and therefore helping ourselves to not self destruct..

Images from:

https://evoke.ie/2019/01/01/life-style/these-are-the-5-most-significant-ways-you-can-save-the-planet-in-2019

https://www.kafetero.com/post/fun-ways-to-save-the-planet

https://pngtree.com/freepng/save-the-world-globe-and-hands-doodle-earth-icon-hand-drawn-on-white-background_5009285.html

IWSG September - After Summer Blues

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Do you ever feel like a spoiled brat? After this summer I do. Amazingly wonderful summer. Lots of quality time with my husband, two impromptu short vacations together (one to Canada!), a four-day visit to Chicago in August given to me as an early birthday present from my sister, who was also my host and tour guide. (My “big number” birthday is actually this month but we wouldn’t be able to be together on the day so we did it when we both could)

I am spoiled beyond spoiled. I sit at home now, alone with my little dog and think of how lucky I am, and how blessed, and yet am flogging myself with questions about my writing, intentions and otherwise. I am “this close” (finger and thumb held a millimeter apart), to finishing my current WIP, and I’m sick of it. I don’t want to write another word. It feels like too much to finish it. I only wish it was because I was so in love with it that I didn’t want to finish it, but the reality is I’m questioning if I should even keep writing. I make no money. I’m not helping anyone with my writing, and though my husband is ever patient and supportive, I feel I’m letting him down.

So, right now I feel like a brat. A sad brat. A frustrated brat with no “real” reason to feel so depressed. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated, even if it’s to tell me to get off my arse and finish the book!

September 4 question: 

If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?

First, France. Because I have a true love-on for France, especially the Toulouse area. I feel so much more inspired when I'm there, usually. I dream a lot there. I'd also like to be in the Carribean. I think if I had a month next to a soft dreamy beach I could perhaps make it to me, to what I need to write next. Now all I have to do is find that place here, in my home...

The wonderfully awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Gwen Gardner, Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, and Cathrina Constantiner!

Please go by their blogs and thank them for co-hosting!

 All photos Lisa Buie-Collard

Bridal Veil Falls US

Horseshoe Falls Canada

My hubby, me and our pup Boney at Niagara Falls. Wow. First time in Canada, first time to see the falls.

Hubby and me out on the town. Great sliders here!

My Sis and me at Hamburger Mary's Diva Brunch!

At the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, my Sis and me.