Sunday Afternoon...and it's hot!

Hello, gentle readers!

It’s a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon in Phoenix…and I am hibernating in my house because it’s just too darn hot outside! I have the air conditioner on (couldn’t live without that), the ceiling fans, and several floor fans, one of which is blowing directly on me.

The dogs are hibernating with me (one is sprawled on the futon behind me, where the cool air from the ceiling fan hits. The other is asleep on the love seat, again where the air conditioning and the floor fan blow cooler air…no dummies, either one of them). Lacey, my big girl, will poke her nose out the doggie door…if it’s too hot, she doesn’t go out. Pepper will venture out, but not for very long.

Actually, hibernating is normal for me. For them, too. I am not a fan of the heat so, why, you’re probably asking yourself right now, do you live in Hell’s Furnace?

Several reasons, actually.

Despite the heat and the fact that I’m a water person (oceans, lakes, rivers…yeah, I miss that living in the desert), I love it here. There is a beauty to this landscape that defies imagination unless you’ve seen it. The skies are a brilliant blue for as far as the eye can see, and the sunsets are simply gorgeous! It’s the perfect place to get inspiration for my western romances.

You can’t beat the winters here, either. I look forward to that time of year.

Lastly, my DH likes the heat and hates the cold so here I am, sweating despite the air conditioner, ceiling fans, and floor fans (could be a hot flash, too…I still get those).

Why else, besides the heat, am I hibernating? I’m practicing “butt-in-chair”, which means I’m writing, working on my latest project, a western historical romance with a very humorous twist (which I’m hoping I can do well).

And that being said, I should get back to it…

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

A New Story In The Works

Hello, gentle readers!

A while ago, when the pandemic first started raging and all the other heart-breaking things started happening in our country, I promised myself that I would 1) quit watching the news and 2) keep writing.

Well, I didn’t quite do that. Oh, I tried. There were many mornings when I opened the file of my current work in progress and tried to put down words, but I just wasn’t able to do it. Phrasing didn’t feel right. Pacing was off. Paragraphs were written and deleted and rewritten several times. In short, I struggled (as one sometimes does). A lot!  

BUT…

Things have changed a little bit for me (though I'm not quite sure why). Yes, I’m still watching the news, but not like I was. I am aware of all the things that are happening in the world. I am informed. And I will continue to be informed.

More importantly (for my own sanity), I have begun writing again. A new story (no, I haven’t given up on the other story. I’ll go back to it after this) that will have humor (because we all need to laugh, especially now) as well as emotional upheavals and the requisite happily ever after ending (because we need that, too).

I love starting a new story. There’s a level of excitement as one chooses names for their characters and gets to know them, chooses a location that not only fits the story, but adds to it, does research so one knows what one is talking about, and putting down those all important plot points (I don’t outline, but I do write points that I want to hit throughout the story). Starting a new project is almost as exciting as writing “The End” on a previous one. Actually, it’s like falling in love - the nervousness, the elation, that feeling of “Oh, this is wonderful! I’m so happy!” 

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go. Stay safe. Stay well.

Marie

The World Right Now

Hello, gentle readers!

I have a confession to make. I wasn’t sure I was going to post this week. Wasn’t sure I had it in me or would be able to find the words to express what I’m feeling at this moment in time. My brain is overloaded with the images I’ve been seeing and my heart…my heart hurts. The world, this beautiful world, is in turmoil. So much grief. So much sadness. So much violence. So much ugliness.

I admit, I feel helpless. I don’t know how to fix it (I am a fixer by nature). Or even if I can fix it. So I ask myself, can one person make a difference? I believe so.  

I will tell you that I believe in the “Golden Rule”, which is treat others as you would like to be treated. That’s it. A basic thing. Why it that so hard? I just don’t get it.

I admit, I don’t understand how peaceful protests, which I believe we as citizens of these United States have the right to, can dissolve and escalate into such violence, destruction of property and loss of life. How can I when that goes against everything in my soul?

When my son was young, I taught him to not look at a person’s outside, but rather, their heart and soul. The outside shouldn’t matter though for some, it does. A person’s religion shouldn’t matter, but again, for some it does. A person’s sexual orientation shouldn’t matter. I can go on. We all know this, should have been taught this from early on – shown, not just by word but by example - that we are all human beings who inhabit this world. It behooves us to love each other, to get along with each other, to appreciate our differences.  

I write romances because I believe in love. I believe in happily ever after. I believe in the goodness of the human soul. I believe in decency. And kindness. And hope. So I will continue to spread that wherever I go because it’s the right thing to do. Right now, we need that more than ever.  

Until next time,

Marie

Escape to the Movies!

Hello, gentle readers!

Well, I’m late again. I usually write my blog on Sundays, but for the past couple weeks, I’ve been remembering just before deadline. This isn’t good. The brain is still a little mushy…but I’m dealing with it. And I’m still suffering from “information overload” but I’m dealing with that, too.

In times past, when dealing with stress, I’ve always stuck my nose in a book and escaped reality, either my own story or someone else’s. That isn’t working for me right now (it seems I have the attention span of a gnat, so unlike me). It’s not like I don’t have plenty of stories to choose from. My TBR pile is extensive and that’s not including what’s on my Kindle!

So, what have I been doing to escape what’s going on? I’m indulging in my passion for movies (as you know, I’m a big movie buff…comedies, action adventure, dramas, horror…I love them all).

We had free HBO this past weekend. Oh, the possibilities! What did I watch? Aquaman. Loved it. That Jason Momoa is certainly easy on the eyes! Men in Black: International. Chris Hemsworth. Need I say more? I even watched the second Jurassic World movie (which I didn’t know they had made). Chris Pratt reprised his role from the first Jurassic World. Again, easy on the eyes. Oh, and I liked the movie, too! Pure escapism and exactly what I needed.

What have you been doing to deal with the stress of our current situation? Anything you’d like to share?

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go. We need it more than ever before!

Marie

I'm Late!

Hello, gentle readers!

I’m late! I know…but I have a really good excuse. I…forgot what day it was. Seriously. I forgot.

How does that happen? Well, as you know, I’ve been working from home and not leaving the house unless absolutely necessary (like all of you) and one day just kinda flowed into the next…and there you have it. So now, it’s Thursday, a day later than I usually post…but I’m still posting.

How you all doing? Are you like me, losing track of days? Do you find yourself doing things you didn’t have time to do before with this sheltering in place? Or have you become busier?

Considering that I’ve lost my commute time, there’s an extra hour in my day, so I’m trying to put it to good use (my kitchen has never been so clean and I’m cooking more). Does that mean I’m writing more? Truthfully? No. In fact, since I last posted, when I said that I was going to change my routine and get my characters out of limbo, I must admit that Gabe and Andi are still where I left them. Still in limbo, their lips so close to touching! I promised myself that I wouldn’t let the outside world influence my writing. I didn’t realize it would be so much harder done than said. I’m still trying though (I’m one of those…I don’t give up very easily. Some would say I’m stubborn…and they would be right).

Despite everything that’s happening, there is good out there. Acts of kindness and bravery are all over the news feed. People are going above and beyond for their fellow man. And I’m loving that! As you know, I’m all about spreading that kindness.

And I learned something new! I did! I can video chat with my son on Facebook. Had no idea I could do that (I admit to not being technically savvy)! So nice to see his face when I talk to him (and we talk quite a bit…I love the relationship we have…it’s irreverent, lots of teasing, lots of laughing, even when we’re being serious…I like to think he gets his humor from me, but that’s not the truth…he has his father’s humor!).

        Until next time, be safe, be well, and yes, spread that kindness wherever you can.

Marie

Changes (Part 2)

Hello, gentle readers!

I have a confession to make. I…have not been writing. I know! This is so unusual for me. I’ve always written. In most cases, it’s how I deal with stress. The one place where I have control (well, until my characters start doing what ever they want, totally disregarding what I want/need them to do). My characters are in limbo (did they write themselves into the corner they’re in or did I do it?) and yet, I can’t seem to make myself open the file and get them out of limbo. I know where they have to go…that happily ever after we all crave, but it’s just not happening at the moment.

It could be that I am too distracted by what’s going on in the world.

Or it could be that my routine has changed.

I think it’s that last thing, more than anything else. I really do.

Now, you all know I love my routines. They’re how I live my life. Everything is carefully orchestrated in order to get as much done as possible with limited time, but lately, that routine has been in limbo as much as my characters are. Like many of you, I am practicing social distancing as well as working from home.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am extremely grateful that I am allowed to work from home. I truly am, especially when so many cannot. My dogs love it…more opportunity for them to get cuddles and cookies. My DH likes it (I think).  

So, what is the solution? Make a new routine, of course (easier said than done…my old routine has served me well for the past twenty years or so). Beginning now. No more allowing myself to become distracted by things I can’t control (i.e. the outside world). I am safe in my home, thankful beyond belief that I am here. I can do this. Just a few little tweaks to how I used to do things and I’ll be on my way, once more letting my characters run rough-shod over my outline. I do miss Gabe and Doctor Andi, the hero and heroine of Wife Wanted. They deserve more from me than they're currently getting. I will do better by them!

Speaking of changes, I tried Zoom for the first time when talking to the mistress of this website. I loved it. First time we’d ‘seen’ each other in a while (she looks fabulous, by the way). In fact, I liked it so much that I Zoomed (is that a word?) with my son, too! You should try it!

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go. Right now, we need that more than ever. Be safe. Stay well!

Marie

It's Movie Time!

Hello, gentle readers!

I love movies! They are my way of relaxing. Doesn’t matter if they’re romantic comedies or dramas or action adventure, black and white or full color. I have my favorites, ones that I will watch time after time. Steel Magnolias (yes, I know the dialogue by heart by now). Pretty Woman (another fantastic movie…I like Runaway Bride, too, which paired Julia Roberts and Richard Gere again). Anything with Clint Eastwood or John Wayne. Anything with Hugh Jackman (I will admit, this man makes me drool…did you see Austraila? Oh my gosh!). Anything with my new favorite, Jason Statham. The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson)? Need I say more?

I was flipping through channels the other day and happened upon The Ghost and Mrs. Muir on Turner Classic Movies. It’s an old black and white love story with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. I love this movie and yes, it really is a love story.

Ms. Tierney is a young widow who rents a house on the coast of England…which just happens to be haunted by the former owner, Captain Gregg, a sea-faring man who delights in trying to frighten this young woman…to no avail. She’s tougher and more stubborn than he plans on. There’s such tension between them…a living woman and a man who has passed on but can’t seem to leave the home he loved, but despite that and the fact that one is a spirit, one can definitely feel their growing affection for each other.

One of my other go-to movies is Silverado. Kevin Costner and Kevin Kline in the same movie…oh, be still my heart. As much as I love a good romance or the other genres, as previously mentioned, I love a good western, too, and this movie certainly fits the bill. It’s got everything I look for in a western, but most importantly, the good guys come out on top.

If you have a chance to see either one, I highly recommend them.

What are some of your favorite movies? Anything you’d like to recommend?

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Life's Little Surprises!

Hello, gentle readers!

My home is my castle. I’m sure you’ve heard that expression before. I know I have, but in my case, it’s true. My home is my sanctuary, the place I go to when the day has been hard and frustrating. I know, when I walk through the door, I will be welcomed.

Granted, it’s not the newest house on the street (in fact, it is the oldest). It’s not the grandest, either. It’s actually rather small compared to the newer houses that went up on either side of me. Still, it’s mine (well, mine and the mortgage company). I’ve been here for twenty-three years and I have no desire to leave. Not yet anyway.

Like any grand lady who is beginning to show her age, mine recently needed a little “face-lift”. We had an awning in the back that was, quite frankly, falling down (the posts had been sunk into dirt and well…the wood was rotting and sinking). I was convinced a stiff wind would take it, as well as half my house so we, the DH and I, decided to do something about it. We took it down.

Unfortunately, when we did so, all the siding from the awning up to the eave of the roof came down as well (no one had any idea the awning had been glued to the siding…yes, I said glued). What a mess! We also had no idea what was behind the siding. As I said, what a mess! Life is certainly full of little surprises!

         Did I cry when I saw what was behind the siding? No, I didn’t, but I sure as heck wanted to! They say any kind of home remodel is the stuff of nightmares. We’ve all heard the stories. Visions of dollar signs flashed through my head on what it would cost to fix this mess I had helped to create, not to mention how long it would take. Would it rain and do more damage before I could find someone (yes, it did rain, but thankfully, there was no more damage).

         It’s amazing how fast something can get done when you’re desperate! The phone calls, the repair guys coming out to give me estimates, etc. And honestly, it didn’t take as long as I thought (again, thankfully…I sure didn’t like being that stressed!) I wasn’t even able to work on my latest story during this time, my usual way of dealing with stress). 

         As of this writing, though, it’s all done. A concrete pad has been poured, the siding has been fixed, and I now have a new awning that’s beautiful and sturdy and won’t fall down the next time the wind blows.

And it’s lovely. A beautiful place to sit and relax as the sun is going down and think about what I’m going to write about next. To all those who helped me keep my sanity, a heart-felt Thank You!

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Happy Anniversary!

Hello, gentle readers!

The DH and I just celebrated our thirty-ninth wedding anniversary (we’ve been together for over forty years). That’s quite a milestone…fully two-thirds of my life here on earth.

I knew he was the one – the soul-mate we all believe is the other half of ourselves – almost from the beginning. He was funny (still is) and charming (when he chooses to be) and he has a huge heart (but don’t tell anyone I said that…he’ll deny it). He rode a motorcycle (still does) and my mother called him “a bad boy”, so unlike anyone I’d ever known – I was quite sheltered most of my life (you know what I’m talking about…so many rules about what I could and couldn’t do, Catholic school, who I could be friends with…the whole bit and believe me when I say, she was not happy when we started dating, but she came around – eventually).

As we’re wont to do, we reminisce, and believe me, there’s a lot to reminisce about – our memorable first date, our wedding (he was so nervous!), the birth of our son, our epic journey when we moved from New Jersey to Arizona in an old, beat-up station wagon with a not quite eighteen month old and a 95 pound German shepherd, dragging all our worldly possessions behind us in a U-haul (and hit a blizzard just outside of Albuquerque!). We had no jobs, and a small amount of money in our pockets, but we had faith in ourselves and each other and we were determined to succeed (plus, don’t ever tell me I can’t do something…I’ll do it just to prove you wrong…I’m a bit stubborn that way), two hip replacements (his, not mine), and other medical situations.

Can he drive me crazy? Oh, you bet, but I'm sure I drive him crazy, too (we've had lots of practice). Does he still make me laugh? That would be a big, fat yes. All the time. Does he understand me? Yeah, he does, probably better than I do myself sometimes. That's part of the magic in being together for so long.

We’ve done a lot of growing in the past forty-something years. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s always been worth it, and you know, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. Happy Anniversary, honey!

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

A Change of Pace

Hello, gentle readers!

If you’ve read my blog before, then you know what a nut I am about routines and schedules. I am convinced that it’s the only way to get everything done that needs to be done, although, sometimes I think my routines are running my life instead of the other way around.

Well, I’m happy to report…there was a change! I know! I was surprised, too!

Saturdays are usually my day to do laundry, iron my clothes for the work week and clean. Well, this past Saturday, I did something completely different, something totally unexpected. What did I do?

I took a road trip with a girlfriend to northern Arizona. Heber-Overgaard to be exact. Can you believe it? I’m still pinching myself!

And I had the most wonderful time. Of course, any time I meet up with this particular girlfriend, we have a great time. We talk (oh my gosh! Do we talk!). About anything and everything—books, movies, spouses, kids, dogs, work...you know, life in general. I don’t think we shut up for more than five minutes.

Anyway, I realized several things during this road trip. One, I haven’t been up to northern Arizona in over twenty years! That’s twenty. 2-0. That’s way too long. I’d forgotten how lovely it is. And there was snow on the ground so it was even more beautiful (I love snow—as long as I don’t have to shovel it). No, I didn’t take pictures…I was too busy flapping my gums and just staring at the beauty around me.

The second thing I realized…I would love to have a cabin or cottage or little house up there (that might have to wait until I retire). So quiet and peaceful. The air was crisp, and yeah, a little chill, and the wind sighing through the evergreens was so relaxing. There’s nothing quite like that sound.

The third thing I realized? I need to stop letting my routines rule my life (my Saturday chores? They got done on Sunday). I need to do more fun stuff like taking road trips and visiting with friends.

I think I will.

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Christmas 2019

Hello, gentle readers!

Christmas is right around the corner! Can you believe it?  Wasn't it just July 4? It seems that the older I get, the faster the year seems to fly by. Pretty soon, it’ll be 2020! Wow!

I have not put up my tree yet (but I did at the day job as well as decorated our cubbies). It’s very festive. I generally wait until the Saturday before the holiday. I have a small living room so it requires moving furniture, which makes the living room feel smaller. Still, I love decorating the tree. My DH and I put on holiday music, have some eggnog (sometimes with spirits! Whooo-hooo) and decorate to our hearts' content! When my son was very young (before age 6), the DH and I decorated on Christmas Eve, after he was in bed. He thought Santa brought the tree as well as the presents...until we were caught. After that, decorating was a family affair.

I have a lot of special ornaments...some my son made years ago when he was in school, some he and I made together, and a lot that were given to me as gifts. I no longer have room on the tree for store bought ornaments and that's fine. I'm not one to load the tree with stuff anyway...for me, less is more. Of course, we can't forget the twinkling lights or the garland (I tried tinsel once...it was pretty, but I was picking up tinsel for months afterward!).

         My DH and I do not exchange gifts. We’ve been together for 40 years so if we want something, we just get it. I think this year, I’m going to get myself…a new vacuum cleaner (yes, I have budgeted for this). I know it’s not the thing everyone wants for Christmas, but I do. I currently have a Dirt Devil, which I really like; however, it seems to get heavier and heavier every time I use it so I’m looking for something a little more lightweight. It has to pick up though. I have fur babies (two big German Shepherds) so that means I have dog hair (they shed constantly!) I’ve been looking at a Eureka with all the lovely attachments! I know. I dream big, don’t I? 

         So, what do I wish for you this holiday season, gentle readers? I wish you joy and peace of mind. I wish you the warmth of good friendships. And I wish you time to do the things you want to do (like read a good book!).

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go. And Merry Christmas!

Marie

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Hello, gentle readers!

Like many authors, I have a regular 8 to 5 job. I’m very fortunate though. I love what I do, but more importantly, I love where I work. Seriously. I’ve never worked at a place like this before, where individual as well as team contributions are recognized and the company really takes care of its people. We have team building events (not run by management, but by us, the worker bees), which are a lot of fun. It could be lunch out at a nearby restaurant. It could be a happy hour after work. It could be just about anything.

For my team building event, I requested that my team mates bring in pictures of themselves—from newborn to about 6 years old. I was going to post them on a poster board and we were to guess who was who. I also requested that each of my team members relate two or three of their best memories growing up.  

So, because this was my event and I made the request, I had to bring pictures of myself as well. I figured it would take me all of five minutes to pull the plastic storage boxes down and find what I wanted but…that’s not what happened. I ended up taking a walk down memory lane and spent half the morning looking at photos—my husband, when we first met; my son, from newborn to just recent (and he’s 38 years old now); my parents and my grandparents; friends. Lots and lots of pictures of friends, some of whom are no longer with us. The dogs I have loved.  

I even found pictures of the house I live in now, taken when we first moved here in 1997. The trees were so small! Now? They tower over everything, shading most of the back yard.

Anyway, the event at work was a success. Everyone participated and the pictures, as you can imagine, were so adorable. Most everyone guessed correctly (there were one or two misses, but that was it) and the stories that were shared were sometimes funny, sometimes a little sad, but accomplished what I wanted…that we get to know each other a little better. I heard that another department thought my idea was a good one and they’re going to do it as well.   

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Hello, gentle readers!

It doesn’t take much for my mind to start wandering and wondering why we do the things we do.

Case in point: I was making spaghetti the other night and as I was dropping the pasta into the boiling water, this thought popped into my brain – my mother used to break the spaghetti in half before she put it into the pot. I’m not sure why. She never explained. It was just something she did. Did she learn it from her mother, my grandmother? Someone else?

I did the same…until I met my husband. One of the first meals I made for him when we were still dating was spaghetti. He asked me why I broke the pasta in half. I had no explanation except that it was what my mother had always done.

There were a lot of little things my mother did as I was growing up. Some of them I still do. Some, like the pasta, I don’t. Saturday mornings? Reserved for cleaning and laundry, because that’s how it was done in my house.

The other big thing? My mother made Cream of Wheat with lumps…until I became an adult and made my own, I had no idea that Cream of Wheat could be had without lumps, but that was always how she made it. Years later, when I made her some with no lumps, she refused to eat it. Wasn’t right, she said. It had to have lumps and there was no convincing her otherwise (yes, I made another batch with lumps…she was happy so it was worth it).

I guess it comes down to “you don’t know what you don’t know” and “that’s the way it’s always been done” (which, we know, doesn’t make it right).    

What were some things your mother did that you still do? What don’t you do?

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

*Mild Rant* What Ever Happened to Privacy?

Hello, gentle readers!

I have a question that I think is valid (WARNING: This may turn into a rant). I'm usually an easy going person: Live and let live, but I must ask...what ever happened to privacy? Or keeping things to yourself instead broadcasting everything to the public?

The reason I ask this question is because of what happened this morning while I was doing my grocery shopping at my local Fry’s. There was a woman who was right behind me throughout my shopping trip and she was on her cell phone, arguing with either her husband or baby daddy, I’m not sure which. She was pretty loud, at one point screaming at this person (and saying the most atrocious things. Now, I can cuss like a sailor, but I try to be considerate of those around me. This woman did not). I was not eavesdropping. Seriously. But one couldn’t help overhearing her. Apparently, he was cheating on her, which is sad on so many levels and I don't blame her for being angry.

My thoughts as this woman followed me from aisle to aisle? The grocery store was not the proper place for this argument. I didn’t need to know any of this and neither did anyone else going about their business. An argument such as this should have been held at home, face to face.

Don’t get me wrong. Cell phones are great! Seems everyone has one. They’re a wonderful way to keep in touch with someone at a moment’s notice (so much different than when I was young…if someone called you and you weren’t home, they left a message, usually with someone in your family or on your answering machine if you were lucky enough to have one. Or they called back, which is usually what happened).

Now? You can reach anyone instantly. No waiting. No fuss. No muss.

This isn’t the first time something like has happened. I’ve been privy to conversations and arguments in restaurants, waiting in line at the DMV or the bank, in elevators where there is no escape…everywhere something like this shouldn’t happen. So I ask again, what ever happened to keeping things private? If you can’t (or won’t) keep it private, lower your voice. Better yet, wait until you get home. End of rant.

 

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Autumn Is Here!

Hello, gentle readers!

It’s Autumn! Whooo-hooo! My favorite time of year! The brutal summer heat is finally giving way to some much welcomed cooler weather (no, I’m not a fan of the Phoenix heat) and I’m loving it. There’s a crispness to the air in the mornings and the evenings are just beautiful (still gets a little hot here during the day). I will admit I miss the leaves changing color--that just doesn’t happen in Phoenix, but that’s okay. I can just drive up north if I want to see that.

Halloween is just around the corner, too! It’s is a big deal where I work. There’s the kids parade (yes, kids are welcome for this day, all decked out in their costumes). There are skits and music and just a general atmosphere of fun. According to what I’ve learned, Halloween was our late founder’s favorite thing to celebrate and the tradition continues. 

Last year was a hoot (my first experience with this kind of hoopla). I loved it. The skits were so funny (I work with many talented people, some, I learned had been rehearsing for months…as I said, it’s a big deal). The costumes, too, were phenomenal (again, I work with some very talented, creative people—my talents lie elsewhere). 

So, here’s the thing. I don’t know what to dress up as. On a normal day, I dress professionally (re: kinda preppy…you know, skirts and blouses or dresses…very rarely do I wear jeans, even when it’s allowed on Fridays).

I have a couple costumes from parties I’ve gone to…I’m just trying to decide which is more appropriate for the workplace (providing, of course, they still fit). I have a saloon girl costume, a flapper costume, and a gypsy costume (sorry, I have no pictures…I’m a bit camera shy). Maybe, I should do something new…like…well, I’ve been toying the idea of going as the Grammar police. Or maybe, I’ll just do something silly and put mouse ears or cat ears on my head.

I need to make a decision soon. Halloween is almost here. I’m starting to get excited!

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

What's in a Name?

Hello, gentle readers!

What’s in a name? Everything, especially if you’re writing historical western romance. Names should be in keeping with the time that you’re writing in AND should fit your character…which brings me to my current conundrum. I have chosen a name for the heroine of the new story I’m working on. And it does fit her. Very much so. She’s a very prim and proper Bostonian suddenly thrust into a small town in Texas. And she’s a doctor.

Here’s the problem. My hero just doesn’t think her name fits her and calls her something else, a nickname that isn’t normally associated with that name. Well, of course, she doesn’t like it and pretty much tells him so; however, our hero is a fun-loving, not serious in the least type person and insists that’s what he’s going to call her. Doesn’t matter much what she says. And to make matters worse, he has everyone in the whole town calling her this new nickname that just isn’t the norm for her name, much to her frustration (though not for long).

So here’s my question…I can do this, can’t I? There is no hard and fast rule that says because your name is this, everyone will naturally shorten it to the most common diminutive. You see, over the course of the story, my heroine will lose some of her properness and learn to have fun and then her new nickname will fit her perfectly.

Do you have an opinion on this? I would love to hear your thoughts…or am I worrying over nothing (I’m really good at that)? 

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Writing My Synopsis

Hello, gentle readers!

I must admit, at this moment, my brain is…not functioning the way it should be. Why, you ask? Well, I finished writing Wife for Hire’s first draft. It’s going through critique right now then it’s off to my beta readers. This is the good news and yes, I’m doing a happy dance (seems Wife for Hire took longer to write than I thought should be necessary, but that’s neither here nor there).

So, what has my brain rebelling? The synopsis…or, as I like to call it, the DREADED synopsis. And it’s beating me up. Why I waited until the story was finished before I started it, I don’t know. Past experience has taught me that it’s better, for me at least, to write the synopsis when I’m about three chapters into the story. This, however, is sometimes difficult because I don’t exactly write one chapter after another. I write the scenes as they come to me then puzzle it all together. Strange process, but it works for me. Other writers, I’m sure, would find this process of mine utterly crazy. Who writes Chapter One then goes off and writes Chapter Ten or even the Epilogue?

Anyway, back to the synopsis. Have I pulled my hair out, struggling over what to put in and what to leave out? That would be a yes. Have I cried because the words are stuck in my head and won’t come out? Well, not exactly, but I have ranted at my computer. Have I gone back into the story and pulled out the relevant points I want to make? Yes, I have…but here’s the problem with that...I get caught up reading and before I know it, twenty minutes have flown by and I’ve read much, much more than I intended.

It’s almost done though, which is more than I could say a couple days ago when I was staring at that blinking cursor!

Once completed to my satisfaction, it’s on to Wife Wanted, which is Gabe’s story, and yes, Gabe and his love interest are already talking to me. One thing’s for certain though…I will not wait until the end to write the synopsis. Lesson learned. I hope.

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

My Dogs Are Smarter Than I Am!

        Hello, gentle readers!

It has just come to my attention (or maybe, I’ve always known, but didn’t want to admit it) my dogs are smarter than I am!

A couple weeks ago, I lamented that fact that the summer heat had hit Phoenix…and then the weather made a fool of me by becoming quite pleasant for a few more weeks. Well, that pleasantry is over and the high temps are here to stay (how do I know this? Well, for one thing, it’s hot…at 9am this morning, the little thermometer under my carport was already showing 100 degrees. For another, there’s no cold water when you turn on the cold water tap….the temperature of the water ranges from very, very warm to scalding, depending on the time of day…taking a shower without burning yourself has become a challenge).

My third tip off that summer is truly here? As I stated earlier…my dogs. They really are smarter than I am. Lacey likes to stick her nose out the doggy door. She’ll stand there for a moment or two, sniffing the air, deciding whether or not she wants to leave the air conditioned house to go outside. If it’s anywhere between the hours of ten in the morning and six at night, she inevitably decides against such an outing and backs into the house then goes and sleeps on my bed, which is the coolest room in the house (I don’t have a picture of this…she’s too fast). She ain’t dumb.

Pepper enjoying the breeze

Pepper isn’t dumb either. Her preferred place to sleep during the hottest part of the day? The love seat. Why? Well, I found out just yesterday when I sat in her spot (and received a dirty look…seriously…I was in her spot and I needed to move and she let me know it). It’s the perfect place to feel the breeze from the ceiling fan as well as the air conditioner and the floor fan.

Hmmm, wish I was as smart as my dogs, but being a mere human with things to do, it’s probably never going to happen.  

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Have That Piece of Cake!

Hello, gentle readers!

Life is short. How often have we heard this phrase? How often have we said it?

We see memes of this sentiment all over Facebook and other forms of social media. People toss it out in conversation, but do they really believe it? I admit, it really didn’t resonate with me until very recently. You see, I lost a very dear friend not too long ago.

I’m not telling you this because I’m looking for sympathy. I’m telling you this because of what I learned. Yes, life is short…much shorter than we realize.

My friend’s passing has hit me hard. Very hard. I’m a steamroller when it comes to emotions….just roll right over them and get on with it. That’s always been my way (and yes, she knew this), but something is different. I find myself thinking about her in quiet moments. I miss her.

I’ve known this woman since we were fourteen….that’s a long time, considering how old we are now…well, how old I am now. We shared an apartment (actually, two of them) in our younger days, before we married our respective husbands and had children and moved away from each other.

But I remember all those late nights we stayed up and giggled, sharing so much more than just a physical address. We shared our dreams and aspirations and hopes for the future. She knew my history and I knew hers, and we became stronger women because of it. She always knew I wanted to be a writer and remembers me sitting at the second hand kitchen table in our apartment, scribbling complete stories in long hand. She always encouraged me, even when the rejection letters started rolling in.

Our relationship was the kind where we didn’t need to speak every day. Heck, we didn’t need to speak that often at all, but when we did, we picked up right where we left off, like no time had passed.

We taught each other a lot, lessons I carry to this day, and I love her like a sister…only more so, because she was the sister of my heart, not biology.

So, what have I learned? Life is too short, indeed so…have that piece of cake even if it isn’t on your diet. Write that book if that’s what you’ve always wanted to do. Laugh more. Hug more. Love more. Gather the ones close to you even closer and if you haven’t spoken to someone in a long time, reach out. You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie

Am I Too Predictable?

Hello, gentle readers!

I must ask…have I taken my routines and schedules too far? The reason I ask…I was balancing my checkbook this morning and noticed (probably for the first time) how predictable I am.

Without fail, I grocery shop every Sunday, generally around the same time (and yes, there are reasons I do this at that specific time, but that’s neither here nor there). I also fill my car with gas on the same day, right after I leave the grocery store, whether I need gas or not. I go to the same places for take-out (DH and I have take-out on Saturday nights *sigh* That would be routine, too). I even pay my bills on a schedule.

It’s all there, in black and white, on my bank statement!

If someone was following me to learn my habits, they’d be bored out of their minds. I go to the day job and come home, stopping along the way if I need to. I meet friends for breakfast or dinner, generally at the same time during the month.

On the other hand, my routines really work for me. It’s the only way to get things done that need to be done and I’m all about completing tasks (it offends my sense of order to leave things undone). Dishes get done and the kitchen is cleaned after dinner every night. On Saturdays, I do our laundry and iron my work clothes for the week and on Sundays (grocery day), I cut up my veggies and make my salads for the work week.     

I told my DH I need to change things up a bit. He laughed. Not a little chuckle either, but a full-fledged belly laugh. I guess that means he doesn’t think I can do it. He may be right. After all, I’ve been living with these habits for the better part of thirty years. I did remind him, though, that he was not a big proponent of change either. Hmmm, maybe this is something we can work on together.       

Until next time, remember to spread kindness wherever you go.

Marie