Author Archives: iamkaren23

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About iamkaren23

I am a Canadian writer currently living in Aguascalientes, Mexico. When Glad Becomes Sad was published in 2009. Alive Again was published in March of 2015. Both are self-help books. I am currently writing fiction. The first book in the trilogy introduces the reader to a troubled child. In the second book he is diagnosed as being bipolar in his late teenage years. The third and final book in the trilogy follows his struggles as an adult. Estimated publication date is the spring of 2026.
Oct26

Happy Anniversary To My Gold Medalist!

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Happy Anniversary To My Gold Medalist!

Ten years ago I was in the Dominican Republic with my daughter when she got married. She is celebrating her 10th anniversary today in Panama. She gets around.

I was glued to my computer screen the other night watching her compete in The North American Powerlifting Federation Regional Bench Press Championships in Panama City. It was exciting to watch online but I really wish I could have been there in person. Breaking three records, she now returns to Canada with a gold medal. It was amazing to see her up there on the podium accepting her award.

Felicidades Kimmy! I love you and I am so incredibly proud of you!

Oct24

Home Sweet Home

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Home Sweet Home

Three flights and a bus trip. Every year I say I’m getting too old for this. But I did it again. Of course it took it’s toll. The two hour time change was welcome when I arrived, but not so much the next morning. 12 hour naps are exhausting and are not my norm. But it’s Friday and I finally had the energy to hit the ATM. I usually enjoy the mile walk to the bank but today I appreciated the ride Raul gave me. By the way, the temperature is in the low 80s and that sun is hot!

When I arrived at the bus station in Aguascalientes Wednesday night, I had a delightful and unexpected visit with Charlotte. She and Humberto were taking a bus home to Puerto Vallarta. They’ll be back here in Aguascalientes in December so I’ll look forward to spending more time with them then.

Alaska. You are still my favorite airline. All flights went smoothly and my bag was one of the first off the carousel when I landed in Guadalajara. Thank you for delaying your tech outage by one day so that it didn’t affect my travel. And thank you Pangborn that all runway renovation was complete and I was able to fly out of Wenatchee. Much easier to deal with TSA at a small airport.

I went to my corner tiendita and picked up some much needed groceries and other supplies. And they provided me with assistance to get everything that short half a block to my home. Yep! I bought that much stuff! Other than a torta ahogada yesterday, I’ve been living off protein bars. But sleep was first on my agenda.

My newsfeed this morning was not a good one. Canada and the USA are becoming more than enemies. And that’s all I’ll say.

Yogurt and fruit have the appeal of a mouth-watering steak right now. Time to end this post.

Have a great weekend!

Oct19

Last Post From Washington in 2025

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Last Post From Washington in 2025

I love fall. It’s my favorite season. The trees are in all their glory. The snow glistens high up on the mountaintops. But it’s also bittersweet as my time here has once again come to an end for this year. Washington is such a beautiful state. Every time I return I am in awe of the beauty; the views that most Washingtonians take for granted.

The past few days have been a blur of goodbyes with friends as well as last lunches and dinners together. Thursday was my last Life Group for a while. Yesterday was one last movie at Gateway. And this morning was one last church service here in East Wenatchee.

This afternoon the sun is shining brightly outside although the temperature has dropped. I have a Lifetime movie on in the background while I pack. But at the moment I’m taking a break to write this post.

I received a message from my daughter in Canada. She is into Powerlifting and tomorrow she is off to Panama to compete in the Internationals. Very exciting! I hope to watch her online as I’ve done before. Maybe someday I’ll get to watch her in person.

I fly out of Pangborn on Tuesday. Three flights and a bus trip and I’ll be home in Aguascalientes.

But the packing cubes are calling. My next post will be from Mexico.

Saludos!

Oct14

Countdown Continues

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Countdown Continues

A week from today at this time I’ll be somewhere up in the air between Seattle and Los Angeles. The days between now and then are full. Actually, all my days are full. I wonder where I ever found the time to raise kids, work and volunteer before I retired.

This morning I went to Soul Sisters at church. No Zoom for this Bible Study so it will be by snail mail email. I told everyone they get their goodbye hugs at church this Sunday.

I spent two hours organizing and backing up the pics on my laptop. Then I downloaded more from my phone and backed those up. I really need to do this more regularly. Then it won’t be such a tedious undertaking.

Tomorrow morning is my last writers group meeting until next year. This group has been a great source of support and encouragement. Once again, no Zoom. But we can email files to each other and keep in touch by phone. I will miss our lunches together after the meetings. This is an opportunity to converse and get to know each other better other than just by our writing styles.

On Thursday it will be my last small group for a while. We share a meal together before delving into a Bible Study. And the fellowship after is most enjoyable. It’s always a late night and I am quite content to sleep in on Friday morning.

I’m not sure what’s happening on Friday. Joanne and I haven’t decided yet. All I know at this point is that it won’t involve volunteering lol. When Joanne asked me what I want to do I told her I want to go to Cashmere and never leave. If only that truly were a possibility!

I had an interesting email from the Canadian Embassy in Mexico. A warning about flooding and landslides in central Mexico. Hmmm. I decided not to fly in on the coast because of the current hurricane activity. Hopefully Guadalajara stays high and dry.

We’ve actually had some rain here in East Wenatchee. And there is snow up in the mountains. So I know it is time for me to leave. The temperatures have dropped and I’ve been layering and bundling up. I have plans for the weekend so I hope it doesn’t get too cold.

“Procrastination is the thief of time.” Charles Dickens.

I better get back to sorting through documents.

Oct9

Countdown

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Countdown

Only twelve days left. Why do the days go by so quickly? The past five months in Washington have been a blur of friends, volunteer work, writers group, book club and writing. I didn’t even get to Canada.

On Monday I went to Leavenworth for one last appointment at Shears. Ann and I went out for brunch and a lovely drive through Tumwater Canyon and Plain where the leaves are already in their autumn glory. Everywhere else, the leaves are just beginning to turn. Fall is late this year.

On Tuesday Linda and I went out for lunch and then to Office Depot. I was delighted to find a mouse pad, not an easy feat around here. Probably should have been more organized and ordered one on Amazon before.

On Wednesday Joanne and I volunteered at the Essentials Table at the Community Church in Cashmere. Then we stopped at the Sure To Rise Bakery. Last visit for me for a while to the Cashmere Library. Downloaded and printed out my piece for writers group next week. Farewell hugs to librarians Lisa and Ashley. And yes we did stop to visit my tree and I took pics. Then it was off to East Wenatchee for a delicious dinner at Olive Garden.

Today is Thursday. I spent the morning going through my closet. Clothes are easy. It’s those darn documents that are so tedious. And I’m leaving tons of those behind in a suitcase. Way too heavy to lug down to Mexico. Warmer clothes too. No use for a Columbia ski jacket or a pair of Sorrels down there.

I’m almost finished reading the book for book club. I will write out my comments and email them to the group as I’ll be back in Mexico when it’s time for the next meeting. Then I’ll be back to reading the books on Libby or Hoopla until I return to Washington next year.

Time for a snack. Yummy watermelon. Then I’ll be off to small group for dinner and Bible study.

Have a great evening!

Oct3

It’s That Time Of Year Again

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It’s That Time Of Year Again

I never liked fall. Frost came, plants died, leaves fell off trees. And then winter descended. But then I discovered Washington State. Vermont, eat your heart out. The trees here are gorgeous in the fall.

But fall is also a bittersweet kind of season. It means it’s time to pack up and head for Mexico for the winter. Envy me all you want. There’s a lot of preparing and organizing that goes along with this type of lifestyle. And in my case, a lot of procrastination.

Today is Friday. After running around all week I decided to stay in today and get into some of that organizing. But it’s already afternoon, and what have I done all morning? Okay, it was productive to check my newsfeeds, email and what’s app. Also checked other messages and texts. After that I headed for my happy place. Writing.

But I’ve moved on now from my WIP to this blog post. And I’m determined to continue sorting through documents later today. Documents? I have literally pounds of those. Legal documents. Medical history. They all pile up.

Then there’s all the paper I pretty much successfully avoid. Tap my card and no receipt please. I can easily follow that one online, although I’m fascinated by the hoards of people who still want that paper copy. Do they still put them in folders in file cabinets? I wonder.

However I think I’ll continue my procrastination just a little bit longer. Yesterday at book club I got a copy of the new book and I’m determined to read it before I head to Mexico later this month. After that I’ll be looking for books on Libby while I’m gone.

Have a great weekend!

Sep29

More Ash And Smoke

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More Ash And Smoke

With the air quality alerts we’ve had recently, I’ve been finding more things to do inside. I’ve been reading and writing more. And I’ve been watching more TV. I know. I should be sorting through documents and clothes in preparation for my trip to Mexico next month. I should be contemplating that last venture to Bath and Body as well as Walmart. I should be hunting for my 2026 Kinkade calendar. But I’m procrastinating.

Went to the theater on Saturday to see Eleanor The Great. Enjoyed the movie but not all the ash that had settled on the car in the parking lot. As always, the pastor delivered a great sermon on Sunday. Then we all descended to the lower level of the church for the chili cook-off. Fellowship and food. And I got to show off a photo of my granddaughter Madeline that my daughter sent me that morning.

Monday is my stay at home day. Laundry. Ugh! Not my favorite indoor activity. In the afternoon I had my Bible Study on Zoom. A great way to stay in touch with friends when it isn’t possible to meet in person. Then I finished off a module in a course I’m taking online.

Coming up indoors this week are writers group, book club, small group and lunches with friends. Possibly a hike through Costco, LOL. I’d rather be out on the loop.

The weatherman keeps threatening rain. Hmmmm. Hopefully, but no lightning please. There are enough wildfires burning all around us. One of them is limping towards Wenatchee. That’s getting a little too close for comfort.

Please keep praying for all the firefighters and the people who have been evacuated.

Sep24

Smoke And Ash

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Smoke And Ash

It’s a little late this year but it’s time to get out those M95 masks. Washington State is on fire. Wildfires are raging everywhere. Blewett is closed and traffic has been rerouted through Stevens Pass. Several areas have received evacuation notices. And I’m hibernating inside as much as possible.

Autumn Leaf Festival happens this coming weekend. I usually go to Leavenworth for the annual parade. But not this year. The air is saturated with smoke and ash. I follow the air quality warnings and they are far from encouraging.

As I sat outside yesterday waiting for my ride, I could hear the drone of aircraft overhead, but I could not see them. As I write this, I’m looking out the window at the dreary sky. It’s a good day to stay in and write. The smoke is worse than it was yesterday. And I haven’t heard the sound of helicopters today. Not a safe day to fly.

Please keep all the firefighters in your prayers.

Sep21

Hahahahahahaha!

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Hahahahahahaha!

Laughter is the best medicine. This quote actually has its roots in the Bible. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22, King James Version.

Laughing can affect our mental health as it improves mood. Laughing lowers the stress hormones in the body. Remarkably, children laugh fifteen times as much as adults do every single day.

As adults, how do we make ourselves laugh more? Look for opportunities to laugh. Engage in enjoyable activities. Interact more with children.

This was my laughter therapy yesterday. It began with Saturday morning cartoons. Yes, I’m in my seventies and I still watch those. My favorite is Beep Beep The Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote. I also enjoy the antics of Sylvester and Tweety, Tom and Jerry, Woody The Woodpecker and so many more cartoon characters.

Then it was off to the cinema to see Freakier Friday where we laughed even more.

Next I capped the day off with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I recall seeing this movie back in the 80s. I also remember watching it with my kids. And decades later it still makes me laugh.

I haven’t watched any cartoons or funny movies today, but enjoyable activities is at the top of my list. Church this morning and brunch with a friend after. Also looking forward to going to a concert tonight.

What has made you laugh this weekend?

Sep14

Thicker Than Smoke

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Thicker Than Smoke

It rained this morning. It’s a cloudy day. Smoke has rolled in from the wildfires surrounding East Wenatchee. But the air is charged with something far more potent. And it has felt that way since I arrived in May. It’s very different than the usual, and everyone is commenting on it.

The atmosphere here is tense and emotionally charged. And not in a good way. Uncertainty. Unsureness. Doubt. Ambiguity. Discontent. Vagueness. Anxiety. Fear. These are just some of the words people are using to describe it.

School has been in session for only a couple of weeks. There have already been lockdowns due to suspicious persons roaming nearby. Other states have already reported shootings. When I was in school it was accepted that the teacher was always right. By the time my kids were in school it had changed. The parents were always right, not the teachers. Today it seems like it has shifted again. The kids feel entitled and they are the ones who are always right. Unfortunately that only leads to more violence.

And then there was the assassination of Charlie Kirk this past week. Freedom of Speech is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Just because you may not agree with the words of a speaker does not give you the right to kill him. This shouldn’t be a matter of Republican versus Democrat. This is man’s inhumanity to man we’re talking about . And Kirk’s murder was a senseless and horrible tragedy.

This morning at church the sermon was about the importance of prayer and forgiveness. If there were more of that our world wouldn’t be in such a mess right now. That’s right. The entire world. It doesn’t matter what country you live in.

And while we’re on the topic of church, I never cease to be amazed by the men who walk into church with a Bible in one hand and a gun in a holster on their hip. Or the women who carry guns in their purses. The church I attend now is a smaller one and I haven’t noticed it here, but when I went to some of the more mega-sized churches it was definitely noticeable. Of course I’ve also had the experience of being locked inside a Christian church in Mexico once the service began. All in the name of security. And scary.

That’s it for doom and gloom. I pray that this coming week is a peaceful one for everyone.