When the Wind Blows

I wrote the post below before Hurricane Ian blew in then sat over us for what felt like years. As someone who's been through hurricanes before and as someone who writes scary things, let me tell you, that was scary. Even now, I still kind of flinch when the wind picks up. But compared to what others went through, we were incredibly lucky. We only had minor damage to our home and were unable to move farther than our block for a few days. We had spotty communication, and no water or power for a while. But, like the little bougainvillea tree we planted when we moved into our home, we here at The Shellshank Redemption are bent but not broken, and we are so grateful to be pretty much upright again. Please join us in sending good thoughts, positive vibes and prayers for those who are struggling and suffering, and for all those who are helping and working to make things better.   

 

*****

October is my birthday month, and I usually use this time to start thinking about goals for next year. I kind of look at it as MY new year. And, as this is one of those bigger birthdays, I have mixed feelings. What do I hope to accomplish going forward? What do I do differently? What do I keep the same? What do I try? What do I stop doing? 

 

How do you celebrate your birthdays? Do any soul searching or is it all party?

 

I think it's ironic that I was born in the spooky Halloween season, because, as I've mentioned before, I really am a big chicken. That being said, I do plan on reading and/or watching something creepy in keeping with the season. 

 

Do you have any Halloween plans? Any recommendations for scary reading or watching?

 

What I've been reading – 

Amen, Maxine by Faith Gardner and Look Closer by David Ellis are both five star reads and made my favorite books of 2022 list. I don't want to say more about them because it's best to go in not knowing too much. 

 

Have you read anything lately you'd recommend? Have any favorites so far in 2022?

 

What I've been watching – 

The movie "The Black Phone" was excellent! Creepy and heartbreaking and the child actors were amazing.

 

My husband and I started watching "What We Do in the Shadows" on Hulu, and I will say that while I like it, my husband almost falls off the couch laughing at least once an episode. 

 

Have you watched anything lately that creeped you out or made you really laugh?

***** 

 

At the moment, our Internet connection is still spotty, so it might take some time before your comments and my responses appear here on the blog.

Birthdays and Books

When I was a kid - and I'm talking about 30 years ago now - my godmother would sometimes take me out for my birthday, and my favorite excursions were when we'd go to Barnes and Noble. 

It was always an event. We'd take the subway into Manhattan, an experience in itself. I'm wondering now if the store we went to was a flagship store because, at least in my eyes, it was huge. My godmother and I would find the young adult section - or whatever it was called, back in the day - and she would leave me to it. She'd go off and look for books for herself, checking on me occasionally, while I happily chose and stacked books for possible purchase. Not once do I ever remember her telling me I couldn't get a book because it was "inappropriate" for me.

Laden with shopping bags, we'd go to dinner, usually for Chinese food but one time we went to a French restaurant where I had french onion soup for the first time - yum!

On the train home, my godmother would open one of her books and read, while I scanned the car making sure no one was about to try and steal the shopping bag of books at my feet. (Hmm, maybe some of that paranoia came from books that weren't so appropriate for me after all….)

Now, these many years later, I'm the one who buys books for my godmother. I wrap and pack them up - usually with some chocolate! - and send them up north where she lives in assisted living. Next month, I'll start listing books to pick up for my nephew's birthday. And in the Fall, I'll do the same for my niece. And I hope one day, my nephew and niece will remember those gifts of books, of reading, of stories the way I remember mine - with a smile. 

Do you have any birthday memories that make you smile? Are you the person in your family or circle of friends who buys everyone books? Do you appreciate the person who does?

Motivational Monday and The Year of Yes

TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE MORE

DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS THAT YOU DIDN'T DO

THAN BY THE ONES THAT YOU DID DO.

SO THROW OFF THE BOWLINES.

SAIL AWAY FROM THE SAFE HARBOR.

CATCH THE TRADE WINDS IN YOUR SAILS.

EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.

(Mark Twain)

Many years ago, my husband and I were returning from our first trip to Italy. We were standing on one of the airport lines when I spotted a woman farther ahead who looked vaguely familiar. I am almost certain it was author Frances Mayes. Why am I only "almost certain"? Because I did not approach her. I did not talk to her. I did not tell her how much I loved her book. Nothing. Why? Because I was - and still kinda am - a big chicken weenie.

As you can tell, the moment still haunts me. However, I absolutely learned from it. It was the memory of that day and the sour taste of regret, that later enabled me to suck it up and approach Stephen King in the bookstore. To this day, that is one of my favorite moments ever. I do sometimes wonder though if I would've gone up to him and gushed like a fangirl anyway or would I have skulked off, too afraid to approach one of my writing idols? (If you'd like to read more about that moment, check out The King of All Days Part I and Part II.)

So, to celebrate an upcoming big birthday I am trying something in the vein of saying "yes" rather than "no." (For anyone who guessed 30th birthday, I'd like to give you some chocolate. But, alas, no. It's my 40th.) My goal is to do at least 40 different things this year - different for me, anyway. It can be anything from trying a new restaurant or a new dish, going kayaking, trying a trapeze, taking a class in something new. It will also be about not doing something that's not so good for me. A "no" to one thing is a "yes" to something else. I'll do an occasional post recapping some of my "adventures." 

What do you all think? Any suggestions? Has anyone tried something similar?