Tag Archives: Writing

Mar21

Screen Time

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Screen Time

Screen time has occupied much of my time in the last couple of weeks. Some of it was necessary and some of it not so necessary. I admit I do enjoy playing Candy Crush but I limit my time with that activity. The other screen time has been far more productive.

The most tedious by far was researching travel. What day should I leave? Where should I fly out of? Where should I fly into? Where do I want to spend the longest layover? When will I feel the least exhausted?

I’m taking a course online from Yale University. We delve into feeling and expressing our emotions in a more positive way, even if they are negative emotions. Videos, lectures and readings are most informative. And of course there are the assignments that we submit.

I’ve also had two very interesting webinars from writing groups I belong to. Today’s was especially interesting as it focused on going from the first to the third draft before submitting for publication. And I am currently on the final edit of my third draft.

I also tuned in to a Zoom meeting on North Central Washington Libraries. This one dealt with homelessness, a very real and increasing problem in our world today.

I also had my usual weekly Bible Study on Zoom. We are studying 1 Corinthians and always have interesting and lively discussions.

And now I’m writing this post on WordPress. It’s a short one as I’m eager to take a break from writing and studying. The sun is shining and it hasn’t quite hit 85 yet so I’d like to go out for a walk.

Have a great weekend!

Feb25

February Finale

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February Finale

February might be the shortest month of the year but it’s been one of the busiest for me. While the focus this winter has been on writing, other activities fill my days as well. Church online. Bible Study on Zoom. Writing Webinars. Conversation Club. Tutoring. Friends. And finally this month I did some traveling.

I went to visit my friend Angie in Pachuca. It’s been three years since we last saw each other but we just picked up where we left off. Time was of no consequence. We first met in December 2010 on El Chepe up in the Copper Canyon. We hit it off as we were both teaching English at the time. Angie is Mexican and was a superb translator for me because back then my Spanish language skills were practically non-existent!

This week my daughter is competing in the CPU Nationals in Canada. I must admit that it’s a little unnerving watching her bench press more than her weight but I’m also so very proud of her and what she has accomplished. Last year I got to see it in person. This time I’m watching online.

My granddaughter Madeline turns seven tomorrow. It seems like just yesterday I flew to Ontario shortly after she was born. Video calls will have to suffice until I see her again in person this summer. I predict that she will be as tall as Grandma by then.

I’m attending a program on Zoom later this week that deals with publishing. I’m looking forward to it as I hope to publish a book this spring and the writing world has changed since I first published back in 2009. My genre has also changed and my next book is fiction.

I enjoyed my break from reading all the newsfeeds. And I ignored the podcasts. Now back to reality where people are still trying to hack into my Facebook and Microsoft accounts. Back to reading about more airline mishaps. Back to reading about The United States of Democrats and The United States of Republicans. Back to reading about the gong show going on in Canada. I think I need another break.

Jan28

A Typical Day

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A Typical Day

People often ask me to write a post about a typical day in Mexico. I cringe when I hear the word “typical.” To me it’s synonymous with the word “normal.” These are not common words in my vocabulary. But today is Tuesday, January 28th and this is what my day has been like so far.

I was up by eight, sipping coffee in bed and watching a movie on Lifetime. Of course the movie was in Spanish as I’m always determined to hone my Spanish skills. Even that early in the morning this movie was one of those horror-thrillers.

I had a lively conversation with my Uber driver about torta ahogadas. Right next door to where I live are some of the best tortas I’ve found here since I left Guadalajara. My driver is eager to try them after my recommendation.

First stop was the bank. The ATM worked perfectly! It even printed my receipt and didn’t attempt to eat my debit card. Yes, it’s going to be a good day.

I then enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Date Latte. Scrambled eggs, chilaquilles, and black beans. With all that protein I’m really ready for the day.

The next conversation with an Uber driver focused on the upcoming Ferria in Aguascalientes. This celebration runs for three weeks beginning in late April and stretches from Centro all the way out to the Isla (I was told approximately 10 kilometers) and attracts thousands of people from all over Mexico as well as other countries every year. And I live about two blocks away from music, carnival rides, vendors and food galore.

I’m back at home now sifting through email and what’s app messages. I’m also eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new friend Ricardo. One of my Mexican friends recommended him to me and I am eternally grateful. Ricardo cooks for me and delivers although he is about a twenty minute drive from me. Among the offerings this week are delicious roasted chicken and a pork dish with vegetables. He comes once a week and I fill my fridge with amazing and healthy food. He knows I try to avoid fried foods and is well aware of my allergy to fish and seafood.

I plan to work on my book for a while after I post this. I’m getting down to my final editing. I am enjoying writing fiction. There is no need for disclaimers and people recognizing themselves in case studies. I just get to make things up as I go along. It’s a nice change from the two self-help books I’ve published. Of course I haven’t left psychology behind. My protagonist is bipolar and struggles with drug addiction.

Later this afternoon I’m facilitating a conversation club with adults. There are so many people here who are eager to learn English. However work schedules and finances do not always permit attending a school or language institute. As a retired English teacher, I now volunteer my time helping these people.

That’s my day so far. No idea what happens later on. I may decide to start writing at midnight and write all night. Or I may not. For me, there is no such thing as a typical day.

Jan16

Plans For A Crazy Day

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Plans For A Crazy Day

Today is one of those crazy days. My mind keeps wandering as I’m trying to focus on my writing. I’m working on the Epilogue now. And things haven’t exactly turned out the way I’d anticipated when I’d first started writing this book. And that’s okay. Plans don’t always work out.

Plans. My thoughts drift to the sermon the pastor gave last Sunday. It was all about plans and God’s plans for us. And I sometimes wonder about that. Why did I wind up in Aguascalientes? No ocean here. I don’t hang out with gringos. The art galleries and museums are nothing compared with those in Guadalajara. And then there’s Washington state. I keep being drawn back there. The lure of the mountains and life in the USA.

Yes. Life in the USA. I grew up hearing about how we were so lucky to be living in Canada. Such a great country. The way things are going right now, I don’t think it’s such a great country. Despite the political divide, I prefer my life in the USA. The big drawback to me is that my kids still live in Canada and don’t want to visit me in Washington or Mexico.

Back to plans. My TV has been doing weird things like freezing and no volume and no nothing today. So there goes that plan of watching a movie in Spanish in an attempt to improve my skills in that language. But I have been doing some texting in Spanish today so that helps.

Speaking of today, I had planned on going to the tianguis on my street today. But it’s almost 2:30 and I’ve missed it once again. Oh well, there’s always next week. And I really should take some pics.

Pics. I’m slowly but surely organizing all the pics I scanned when I was in Winnipeg last summer. My son has promised to send me a link so that I can share a few thousand with him.

My son. The other night I missed a video call from my daughter in Kelowna as I was doing a course online at that time. When I called her back, to my surprise my son and his girlfriend were there visiting from Winnipeg. My kids don’t exactly keep me updated on their travels. But it was so great to do a video call and see them all together. Only wish I could’ve been there with them.

Of course that was another long ago plan that never happened. My kids and I all living in the same city and seeing each other all the time. That was the way I grew up. But someone up above had a different plan for me.

Back to my plan for today. Back to my Epilogue. And I’m listening to The Rolling Stones in the background.

What’s your plan for today? And how is it working out for you?

Dec9

My Writing Goals For 2025

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My Writing Goals For 2025

It’s almost the end of December and that means 2024 is almost over. It’s time to set some goals for next year. I don’t do resolutions. I do goals. They’re more meaningful to me and I’m more likely to strive to achieve them.

First and foremost are my writing goals. When I’m here in Mexico, I have more time to write. More importantly I have more time to write without interruption. This means I sometimes boot up my laptop at midnight and write for a few hours. Breakfast can sometimes be at two in the afternoon or later. My time is my own.

I’ll start with the novel I’m writing. It’s actually turning into a trilogy. While there is some fine tuning I still have to do on all three parts, I’m into the homestretch now. My goal is to have this ready for publishing in the spring when I return up north. Then I need to decide which country to publish it in. My first two books were published in the USA but now I’m leaning towards having the next one published in Canada.

WordPress is presenting its annual bloganuary again this year. I’m going to attempt it. This means a writing prompt a day for thirty-one days. I won’t post all of them to my blog, but I do intend to post a few of the more interesting ones. Sometimes these writing prompts can be quite bizarre.

Another goal I have is to write in Spanish. Until now I have primarily been writing in English. My writing in Spanish tends to be on What’s App, Facebook and texts. While my main focus in Spanish has always been in speaking, I want to do some writing to improve my grammar rather than merely the exercises on Duolingo.

And when I’m not writing, I still have all those pics I scanned last summer that need to be organized………….

Nov20

It’s Different Here

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It’s Different Here

Looks like I got out just in time. I missed that bomb cyclone in Washington with hurricane force winds, downed trees and powerlines. Friends in East Wenatchee are reporting power outages and more than six inches of snow. I’m shivering just thinking about this.

Here in Aguascalientes the temperature has been far above the norm for this time of year. I’m back to taking walks early in the morning and then again later at night.

Now that my room is organized, I have more time for writing. In addition to the novel I’m working on, one of my online writers’ groups gave an interesting challenge — “Write the story of your life as a narrative rather than as a collection of stories for a book of memoirs.” Seeing as I’ve struggled with the latter, it’s tempting to take up the challenge.

Last weekend Gloria and I went out to Tres Centurias. When I first got here five years ago, I took way too many photos of the trains so this year I only took photos of the catrinas. They hadn’t been taken yet although Dia de los Muertos was November 2nd. Then we walked over to Malva and had a delicious lunch of cochinita pibil.

Yesterday I went to my favorite bakery where I was greeted enthusiastically by the owner, “Maestra!” Somehow that name has stuck. The first time I went there I told her I was a retired teacher. Of course the word “retired” was eliminated immediately.

I also went to another favorite store where I buy a few things I don’t find at my corner tienda. And once again the staff remembered me. This store has a variety of meat and cheese as well as crepes and hotcakes.

My Spanish is getting a workout. Raul is pretty much the only one I speak English to. Of course I still have to tell my neighbors “mas despacio, por favor.”

My Spanish must be improving. I watched a crime show on TV the other day and actually picked up on most of the subtle cues although I’d never seen this episode before. And I don’t use subtitles.

Happy Humpday!

Sep2

Book Club

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Book Club

I joined a book club this year. The last time I was in a book club was before Covid when I was living in Leavenworth. We used to meet at the library and I enjoyed those afternoons immensely. One of the librarians facilitated the group.

The club I now belong to is called Loose In The Knees. It was formed years ago in Cashmere. Back then meetings were held in members’ homes. The group now meets in East Wenatchee at the Wenatchee Golf Club where we enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a lively discussion.

Belonging to a book club often forces me to read genres I otherwise might not read on my own. I must admit that occasionally it’s difficult to really immerse myself in the story but, as a writer myself, I have come to appreciate and respect different styles and voices of writing.

Last month the book we read was Before We Were Yours and dealt with child trafficking. The book we will discuss this week is The Red Address Book, memoirs of a 96-year-old woman. I will have the opportunity to read two more books with this group before I head back to Mexico for the winter.

When I’m away, I will miss my friends and the discussions. But I still do intend to read the selections. While I won’t be able to hold the book in my hands, there is always the internet and that will have to suffice for now.

Aug24

Today I Took A Day Off

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Today I Took A Day Off

Today I took a day off from the world, a much needed break. I turned the ringer off on my cellphone. I ignored texts and voicemails. I didn’t read my newsfeed or check my emails. I lay in bed sipping coffee and watching a movie in the morning.

Then I took out my gel pens, sharpies and paints. I lost myself in a fantasy world of color. It was so peaceful and calming. It was so relaxing. And I wonder why I don’t do it more often.

I listened to music. Classical. Rock. Folk. Country.

Next on the agenda was writing. My characters have been speaking volumes lately. I’ve done a lot more than merely editing. I lost myself in their world, in their life.

And now I’m sitting here with my window open listening to the rain. It started off as a soft patter and is now a deluge pounding down on the roof.

But I know I have to return to reality. I need to check my texts, voicemails and emails. I need to read my newsfeed.

My day off is over.

Aug11

Already August

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Already August

It’s been a very different summer. I’ve been to Canada twice; once for 2 months and once for 2 days. Mindfulness is my mantra, especially last weekend when I was with my six-year-old granddaughter.

I spent two magical days in West Kelowna last weekend. I played board games and read books with Madeline. She showed me her treasures from her Sparks trades. We watched a movie together. I watched her swim and jump into the water off platforms at the beach. She delighted in taking tons of pics with my phone. And I miss her constant chatter, her hugs and smiles and am sad that I only get to see her once a year.

This weekend is much quieter. I’m back in East Wenatchee. I’ve been writing and working on my WIP. Today we went to a movie and out for coffee after. And now I’m back to writing again. Tomorrow night I’m looking forward to a concert by Gladsong. Then the weekend will end and Monday will be here, beginning another week.

The only constant this summer has been the hot weather. But it’s cooling off. The high today was only 94.

At this point in the summer I’m usually thinking about flights to Mexico. But not this year. Because I spent so much time in Canada, I’ll be here in Washington when the leaves turn all their glorious fall colors. And that’s something I haven’t seen since before Covid.

As I sit here looking out my window at the hills, I reflect on how blessed I am to lead the life I do, both here and in Aguascalientes. I have friends who have become family, opening their hearts and their homes to me. Times spent with these people are the true treasures in my life.

Collect moments not things.

Jul5

From One Extreme To Another

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From One Extreme To Another

I was in Winnipeg for two months. It rained at some point every single day and the temperatures were cool with the odd 70 degree sneaking in. Here in Washington it’s sunny and temperatures are in the 90s predicted to reach 100 in the next few days. I prefer to be here.

Last weekend I volunteered at a book sale in Cashmere on Founders Day for Friends of the Cashmere Library. We raised just under $1000, up from last year’s $600. The money goes towards funding the amazing programs this library offers. I’m actually registered for a woodburning coaster event this coming week. Other programs I’ve attended in the past have included such activities as pastels and painting with acrylics.

It was great to be back at my writers group the other day at the Wenatchee Senior Center. What a variety of writing was presented at this meeting! Members come from all walks of life as well as very different places. Poetry, memoirs, fiction, non-fiction……………it’s all here and the two hours flies by quickly.

Another highlight of the week for me was going back to Shears in Leavenworth to have my hair done. I know. There are salons in East Wenatchee. But Lisa knows my hair and I don’t mind going a few towns away every few weeks to pamper myself. Another bonus is that Linda and I pick up lunch at Dan’s and then go back to her place to visit and binge-watch Netflix.

And yes, I’ve been back to Costco a couple of times and we won’t even discuss clothes or the bag of Hershey kisses I bought. But I did pass on the dark chocolate sea salt caramels LOL.

Cashmere Valley Bank I am annoyed with you. I got a new debit card from my Canadian bank and you wouldn’t accept it at your ATM. But Numerica did. I guess I have a new favorite bank now.

Please pray for my friends in Mexico as Hurricane Beryl bears down on them today.