Welcoming Summer from the Shade
New Month, New Season… Happy Sunday! Well, by the time I finish writing and publish this, most of you will be reading it on Monday—so, happy Monday too. 😊 This month marks the start of summer—the official date is around the 20th. Personally, I’m not much of a summer person. Being a redhead, the sun […]
When the Muse Takes a Day Off: Rabbit Holes, Cryptids, and Creative Sparks
Happy Wednesday—or Hump Day, as some say, since it’s the middle of the week. It used to be that when I went into an office, Wednesdays felt like the longest day of the week. Now that I work from home, the length of the day depends on the lack of inspiration, how many (and what […]
VA Visit, Early Mornings, and Productivity!
Today has an overcast look, and it’s been rainy most of the morning. Surprisingly, it has been a productive day. Starting off with getting a little over 8 hours of sleep (which is rare). Not going to say it was solid sleep— I did get up twice to visit a certain room, but I was […]
Storms, and Storytelling: A Creative Sunday Update!
Happy Sunday, Everyone!It’s a wet, wet day here in Tennessee—well, it has been for a few days now. I’m not sure about you, but I love storms: thunder, lightning, and the whole works. Just not the destruction that can come with them. During storms, I either get sleepy and want to nap the whole day, […]
From Quiet Moments to Big Decisions
After the busy weekend and my last day of class (I was auditing a painting class at Motlow), I’ve had a pretty relaxing week… so far. I’m okay with that, because I know it’s about to get crazy busy again. I’m preparing for the new Toastmasters year, finishing Dangerous Desires, and then beginning the editing […]
Exhausted, Inspired — and Needing to Apologize!
This weekend is finally over! I feel like I talked more these past few days than I have in the past month combined. As the spokesperson for four contests, I had fun — and I talked a whole, whole lot — not only during the contests but also before and after each one, and late […]
Short Chat, Long List (and a Paintbrush in Hand👩🎨 )
As I hinted in our last two chats, this was going to be—and definitely is—a crazy week. I’ve been on one too many Zoom meetings (with more to come). The emails? Enough to fill a bucket (figuratively speaking). I’ve probably lost a few in the process, but oh well. I’ve included in each email that […]
From Chaos to Creativity: Easter, Art, Writing, and a Wild Week Ahead🎨🤪
Hello and Happy Easter, My Friends! Easter, like Christmas, brings to mind thoughts of fun with friends and family, celebrations, and of course, the religious images many of us were brought up to believe in — a day of rest and time with loved ones. For me, it started off extremely slow. I overslept (not […]
From Contest Briefings to Brush Strokes: Finding Joy in the Chaos
Wow! My Head Is Spinning Next weekend is the District 63 Toastmasters Conference, and as the Contest Chair this year, things are about to get really busy for me. I’ve received all the information on the contestants, and last night, I sent out the first of several emails. Today, I scheduled the day and time […]
Paint, Words, and Passion: Why I Create
Hello and Happy Sunday!I hope all is well with you, my reader friends. Today may be a short message because I’m behind on my deadline for Dangerous Desires. Since I decided to go with an indie publisher—and may have convinced a fellow Toastmaster/friend to become my literary agent—I now want/need to get my booty in […]