Tag Archives: Writing

Jun27

What Do You Mean It’s Almost July?

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What Do You Mean It’s Almost July?

June has been a busy month here in Washington. And it isn’t over yet. Among other things, this coming week will be Hobby Lobby, Costco, writing group and hopefully a day of rest before July 4th. But I’ll leave that for my next post.

I wrote about Cashmere in my last post. I will mention it again in this one. Today is Founders Day, complete with a car show, a parade, a helicopter drop, a book sale, a laser show, vendors and music. On Thursday I was at a community dinner at the church. The library is also moving to its new location in Riverside Center.

I finally made it to Leavenworth for the first time this year. My first stop was the library where I printed off copies for writers group next week. Linda met me and we picked up sandwiches at Dan’s. Back at her place we watched an interesting series on Netflix depicting the life of Abe Lincoln.

I love the book club I belong to here, although I must admit that I’m not too fond of the book we’re currently reading. While I’ve come to appreciate historical fiction, this one is far too wordy and boring.

I was at a memorial service in Monitor last weekend for a woman who was a member of our book club. It’s hard to believe that just last summer we had a birthday party for her when she turned ninety-nine.

Last night we were out at Union Hill Cider Co. where we enjoyed an amazing performance by a local country singer. Lots of families in attendance so the young kids also entertained us with their dancing as well as with rolling down the hills.

Throw in church, life group, writing group and friends and the days fly by all too quickly. And then there’s editing.

I spent a fair amount of time this month editing. Revelations, the second book in the trilogy, was published yesterday and is available on Amazon. Steve is diagnosed as being bipolar and he continues to struggle with substance abuse. Shocking revelations threaten to tear the family apart. And yes, this book also has a cliffhanger at the end.

Enjoy your weekend!

May29

Birthdays

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Birthdays

A few months ago my friend Joanne had her 79th birthday. She commented to me that she was now celebrating her 80th year. A few days ago I turned 74. And she reminded me that I was now celebrating my 75th year.

The celebrations actually began two days before my actual birthday. A friend took me out for lunch that day. And my life group celebrated members with May birthdays, where I helped blow out candles on a cake with three others. And then the day before my birthday my granddaughter surprised me with a video call.

And then there was the actual day. I went to a movie with a friend in the afternoon and then went out for dinner with other friends that night.

I’ve celebrated birthdays in several places in the last few years; Culiacan, Mazatlan, Tlaquepaque, Aguascalientes, Leavenworth and East Wenatchee to name only a few. But the most memorable ones were the days when my kids were young and we were all together. These are far more memorable than my own birthdays as a child.

So what else have I been doing since I’m back? Mostly spending time with friends I haven’t seen in seven months. And I’m back volunteering. Then there’s writers group and book club. I’m back at church and I also attended a Memorial Day service. It goes without saying that I’ve been enjoying the warm weather here after freezing in Winnipeg for a month.

This weekend is going to be more of a musical one. But more about that in my next post.

Have a great weekend!

May18

Little Boy Lost

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Little Boy Lost

I first began writing about Steve and Lisa in 1974. In 2013 I found that original manuscript. And I still had no idea where I was going with that story.

In 2024 I joined a senior writers group in Wenatchee, Washington. That was when I decided to start writing again about Steve and Lisa. An abundance of life experiences now played a significant role in developing the story.

Initially this was to be a novel. But it soon evolved into a trilogy; Steve as a child, Steve as a teenager and Steve as an adult.

Little Boy Lost is the first of the three books, where we are introduced to Steve as a child. Insight is given as to his behavior before he is professionally diagnosed as having a bipolar disorder. The relationship between Steve and Lisa begins, as does Steve’s struggle with substance abuse.

Family dynamics play a pivotal role in Steve’s social and emotional development. There is a great contrast between the way his mother and his father express their love for their son.  And then there is Steve’s interpretation, where he blames his father for absolutely everything that has gone wrong in his life.

Hal enters the story as the vice-principal at Steve’s school. But relationships evolve and Hal soon becomes a central figure displaying a strong sense of support in the lives of the Shaels.

The second of the three books is Revelations. This book focuses on Steve’s senior year in high school. Steve is diagnosed as being bipolar and continues to struggle with substance abuse.

The third book in the trilogy is End Zone. This is the story of Steve as an adult. Steve is now an addict due to the chronic drug use over the years. 

Little Boy Lost is available as an Ebook on Amazon. Revelations will be available next month. Release of End Zone will follow in the fall of 2026.

Feb1

It’s Been A While

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It’s Been A While

Yes. I’m still here. I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted. The truth is that I haven’t been inspired. No. It’s not writers block. It’s completely different. I’ve still been working on my WIP. My characters are still talking to me. Actually, I think it’s the world. The uncertainty. The tension. The chaos. There’s no escape.

In my newsfeed this morning I was reading about the protests in Puerto Vallarta. The locals are demonstrating regarding injustice for a change. Apparently it now takes hours instead of minutes to access the airport, if you are able to at all. Tons of complaints about people missing their flights.

The situation in Sinaloa is worse. The government is now deploying even more troops to Culiacan in a feeble attempt to bring peace to the area. They’ve been unsuccessful so far and I doubt that this action will have much of an impact.

There are blizzards in Florida. Iguanas are falling out of trees. Other local wildlife are struggling for their lives in this rather unusual climate. Disney is closing rides involving water and reducing hours in the theme parks. There are a lot of red flags on the beaches.

And I won’t even touch on the political climate in Canada or the USA. Or anywhere else in the world, for that matter. It is what it is.

January was a great month for my Seahawks. They annihilated the 49ers and beat out the Rams in a close one. On to the Super Bowl next Sunday! Go Seahawks!

I’m looking forward to watching some of the Winter Olympics on TV. I wonder how you say “bobsledding” in Spanish.

I’m off to Wateke Weekend later this afternoon. I’m craving a Jumbo Dog smothered in onions and tomatoes and salsas. It will be a nice change from cochinita pibil.

Dec6

On The Shelf Now

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On The Shelf Now

Today is Saturday and it’s the first gloomy day since I got here in October. I was just outside throwing out some trash and noted the cloudy skies and the cool temperature. Rain is on the way and the forecasted high is only 62 degrees, well below the norm for this time of year. It’s a good day to hibernate indoors.

I watched a movie earlier. And now it’s time to do some reading. I’m in the midst of John Grisham’s new book, The Widow. I enjoy his books and I admire him as a writer. His background as a lawyer and politician enable him to realistically portray courtroom battles as well as the injustice that often rears its ugly head in the legal system.

I grew up watching Perry Mason. That TV series now seems like a fairy tale compared with what goes on today. Grisham presents it much more realistically. You may argue that the times have changed and our society today isn’t what it was back in the 50s and 60s. While that is true, greed and ambition have always been there along with the arrogance that appears to be synonymous with the legal profession.

The Lincoln Lawyer. Matt Haller has his own take on the legal system. He doesn’t sit back and watch injustice repeat itself. He meets it head-on, desperately attempting to fight for change while aiding his clients. He gives loopholes a new meaning, when they’re actually used to defend the innocent instead of protecting the guilty.

And now it’s time to get back to reading The Widow by John Grisham.

Nov26

Digital Creator

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Digital Creator

I recently accepted a friend request on Facebook from someone who I know personally as a retired teacher and a writer of science-fiction. Upon scrolling through his bio and posts, I encountered the term “digital creator.” As I’m not entirely familiar with that expression I decided to do some investigating.

A digital creator writes their own posts. A digital creator doesn’t just share posts that others have written. A digital creator produces original content. This can be in the form of writing, photos or videos. Live events also fall into this category.

A digital creator encourages followers to interact and engage in conversation rather than just react with a like or other emoji. Of course the content must be meaningful and have substance for that to happen. And it certainly does on my new friend’s newsfeed. Comments on posts are interesting and informative and well worth reading.

As my friends all know, I don’t usually scroll on Facebook. I post links to my blog and occasionally tag people in photos. I also check out a couple of writers’ groups I belong to. I do not consider myself to be a digital creator.

While I seldom scroll on Facebook, I just may make an exception and follow my new friend on Facebook. You see, normally I don’t follow people on Facebook. I have close to 600 friends on Facebook and I refuse to waste valuable time scrolling through all their posts. If it’s something important, send me a private message. Those I do check regularly.

A writer walks into a bar. The bartender asks, “Have you written your 1000 words today? You told me not to sell you a drink until you hit your word count goal for the day.” A writer walks out of a bar.

Happy Humpday!

Nov5

National Novel Month

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National Novel Month

November to writers is synonymous with National Novel Month. I’m usually traveling in November so I’ve never been able to participate. But I’m a homebody this month and decided to join in. The challenge is to write 1667 words every day and at the end of the month 50,000 words i.e. a novel.

I have put aside the third book in my trilogy for a while and have chosen to write on something completely different. It is fiction but has more of a lighthearted feel to it. While it is actually based on true events, names and places have been changed. And if I ever do decide to publish it, then a pen name is definitely mandatory. Only my closest friends have been told some details about this project. And it will remain that way for now.

The Blue Jays lost. I was amazed that the series actually went to seven games. I thought the Dodgers would have claimed victory much sooner. The Blue Jays really gave them a run for their money and they are to be commended for that.

Volunteer work for me here in Mexico is in the field of ESL. My adult conversation club is starting up again next week. I’ve had enthusiastic responses from participants and am looking forward to seeing them all again. My teenager starts this week and I am determined to keep him away from those videogames he loves so much; at least for 2 or 3 hours every week. Even more if he actually does his homework lol.

Both Halloween and Day of the Dead are done for this year. Now everyone is talking Christmas or La Navidad. Ricardo is even taking orders now for tamales. And he does make delicious tamales! I’ve already sampled some. So far my favorites are the mole dulce and the pina, with the rojas right up there as well.

What word contains 26 letters but only has three syllables?

Alphabet.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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!