Celebrate!

It’s all about celebrations around here this month. Or, as we like to say, “shell-ebrations”!   

In our household, we have my husband and my wedding anniversary and the tortoises turn 17. 

 

Outside our household, we’re sending happy birthday wishes to one teen and…well, let’s just say, one hasn’t-been-a-teen-for-quite-awhile, and also congratulations to a high school graduate and a college graduate. 

 

Even though I’m basking in the joy of it all, I still feel those waves of nostalgia lapping at my toes. Sigh. Where does the time go?

 

WRITING

I’ve got drafts of two stories going. I hope to have one ready to submit mid-month.

 

READING

The novel, Ask for Andrea, by Noelle W. Ihli utterly broke my heart, and The Birthday Party by Shalini Boland took me on a wild, twisting ride.

 

WATCHING

We have lots of things on our To Watch list, but we haven’t really gotten to any of them. We did re-watch – and still loved! - the first Downton Abbey movie. The next two movies will be new to us.

 

*****

 

Are you celebrating – big, small, anything at all! - this month? Do you know where the time has gone? Any relatively recent TV shows or movies you’d recommend we bump to the top of our To Watch list?

Inspiration Abounds!

Late winter/early spring is one of my favorite times of year around here. Cooler air and sunshine make it easy to get outside (See ya later, “dreadmill”/treadmill!). Everywhere I look, people are walking, running, riding bikes, playing pickleball and tennis, hanging out with their canine pals at the dog park. Every weekend, there are art shows and craft fairs and garage sales. Oh, and food trucks! And let’s not forget spring training! Yes, there are more people and traffic (I’m looking at you, snowbirds and spring break visitors!) but there’s more energy, too. Life just feels full of color and texture and vitality right now. Inspiration abounds!  

WRITING

I subbed the short story I mentioned last post. . . and received a rejection. Sigh. But I'm not giving up on that story just yet. I'm pretty sure it's still got some life in it. I’ve also got a loose draft of one story and scribbled notes on another.  

 

READING

I’ve got two different kinds of “claustrophobic” reads for you:

The emotional, dread-inducing kind in Adrift by Will Dean. A story that will stay with me a long time. 

And the physical kind in Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams where the characters go on an “ill-fated caving expedition.” That means underground, people. Under. Ground. Enough said.  

 

WATCHING

We finished Season Three of The Night Agent and enjoyed it way more than we thought we would. 

And can someone please explain to me how it’s possible we’re now watching Season 50 – 50! – of Survivor? Where did the time go?! 

 

*****

Do you have a favorite time of year? What makes it your favorite? Has a recent read left you filled with dread? (In the best way possible, of course!) Has anything made you feel old – or young! – lately?

You Just Never Know

When I was out and about as a kid, I didn’t see much wildlife. Maybe some pigeons and a squirrel or two. Now, when my husband and I go for walks around our neighborhood, we see not only lots of different birds, like sandhill cranes, but also the occasional armadillo, bobcat, raccoon, turtle, and yes, alligator. (And we’ve been seeing a lot more gators lately. Like me, they enjoy basking beneath the Florida sun during the winter.) 

If you had told me, back when I was younger, that I’d one day live in a place where spotting an alligator hanging out on a lake bank was as common as spotting a squirrel running up a tree, I’d have rolled my eyes and went back to playing stoopball. 

 

You just never know.  

 

*****

WRITING

I’m in the middle of revising a short story. The submission window is tight so I’d better get going. 

 

READING

Totally enjoying Kelley Armstrong’s new book, First Sign of Danger (Haven’s Rock, #4).

 

WATCHING

Pleasantly surprised by Season Three of The Night Agent (Netflix). We loved Season One but Season Two left us wondering if we’d keep watching the series. Glad we gave it another chance! 

 

*****

 

Had any “you just never know” moments that have pleasantly surprised you? What’s the most “exotic” animal you’ve seen on a walk? What are you creating, reading, writing lately? 

Here's Hoping

January felt like a looooong month around here. If I managed a creative thought at all, it was like a slow pour of syrup. Only not nearly as sweet.  

But, keeping in mind my “keeping it simple” plan for 2026, I set my fumble fingers to “create” and took an art class, coming away with a not too shabby mosaic flowerpot. While I could’ve done without the grouting part of the project, I did thoroughly enjoy designing and gluing the tiles and doodads to the pot.

 

Here’s hoping for a bright and busy-in-the-best-way possible February!

 

WRITING

Since my writing mojo seems to be hunkered down and dozing with the tortoises, I’ve mostly been playing with a prompt here and trying out a theme there. 

 

READING

If you’d like some chills - of the reading kind, that is! - try A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James. It had me looking over my shoulder more times than I’d like to admit! 

 

WATCHING

We’ve been re-watching Downton Abbey. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy it! When we’re done with the series, it’s on to the three Downton movies, two of them new to us. 

 

*****

 

How did January go for you? Is your creativity hibernating? Have you re-watched and/or re-read anything lately?

It's Not Over Till It's Over

I used to be guilty of saying, oh well, the year’s almost over, why bother trying this or that or the other thing. But a couple of months ago, I heard about the 100 days countdown to the end of the year, and seeing that number made me realize, hey, there’s still a big chunk of time left! It’s not only 100 days, it’s still 100 days. 

As of the writing of this post, there are over 55 days left in the year. So, instead of giving up, let’s get going!

 

WRITING

I’m working on the story collection, a drabble and a flash fiction/short story. This story is a little different for me in that it’s heavy on dialogue, but since that’s how it came to me, I’m going with it.

 

READING

I’ve been on a reading roll lately! 

The Private Jet by Sarah Goodwin - an adventure/survival thriller that will have you turning pages so fast you’ll get paper cuts but that's nothing compared to what happens in the book!

Runner 13 by Amy McCulloch - another survival/adventure thriller that will make you feel like a slacker unless you, too, are an ultramarathon runner racing through the Sahara Desert.

 

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens – will leave you second guessing that road trip you’re considering… 

59 Minutes by Holly Seddon – left me emotionally wrung out in the way only a really good read can. (I received an ARC in a giveaway. Expected publication date 11/18/2025.)

TORTOISES

The tortoises never fail to amuse me. At the vet for their check-up, their very different personalities were on display. They needed to have their beaks and nails trimmed, and while Larry wanted no part of it, Mrs. Larry acted like she was getting a facial and a manicure/pedicure. 

 

WATCHING

We’ve had some good luck lately with Netflix. Two movies – The Thursday Murder Club was enjoyable and The Woman in Cabin 10 was very suspenseful. A limited series – Hostage – was utterly gripping. 

 

*****

How are you approaching the end of 2025? Have you read or watched anything good lately? Do your pets amuse you?

Fall Focus

I'm glad it's September, even though around here it’s still hot, humid and hurricane season. This summer drained me of oomph. I feel wrung out, much like my sweaty gym clothes after a long plod on the “dreadmill.” I blame the heat. (I usually get to a point every summer where I blame the heat. For everything.)

 

So, this is me, falling forward – not very gracefully - into fall!

 

WRITING

The second session of Camp Draft did not go well: 

* The drabble I wrote and subbed received a rejection. 

* The longer short story with the road trip theme never even got out of the garage. 

* The novella is apparently no longer about a cursed island, but is instead about a deserted island because everyone on it has left due to boredom.

 

In September, I hope to 

* Get back to some flash fiction, writing and maybe subbing.

* See if I can save that cursed island. 

* Start making some strides in putting together another collection of my stories. 

 

 

READING

I’m still behind on my 2025 Goodreads Challenge, but Wally Lamb’s incredible The River is Waiting and Shari Lapena’s page-turning suspense She Didn’t See it Coming helped move me closer to my goal. 

 

 

WATCHING

My husband and I had a “28” movie marathon – we re-watched 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later before watching the new 28 Years Later. In my opinion, the first movie is still the best of the bunch by far.

 

We really enjoyed Woman of the Hour (starring Anna Kendrick) over on Netflix. A creepy thriller made even creepier because it’s based on real crimes. 

*****

 

How did your summer go? Any plans or projects for fall? How’s your oomph level? Read or watched anything lately you’d recommend?

The Summer of Salads, Stories and Sweat

For a lot of people summer is about relaxing and vacations, but for me, it’s usually when I pretty much hibernate in my air conditioned hidey-hole. This summer is all about:  

SALADS and lighter meals. It’s about getting healthier on the inside. You’d think as a vegetarian I’d have this down but, since pasta is my go-to pal, not so much. 

 

STORIES! Writing my own, of course, but reading and watching them, too. Stories are everywhere!

 

SWEAT. And I don’t mean by just sitting out on the lanai in the Florida summer. I mean the kind I get when I hang out with my old frenemy, the dreadmill . . .  

 

Now, of course, life happens and hurricanes howl through, so this is only a loose plan. But I’m giving it a go!

*****

WRITING

I finished and subbed a drabble. I made a little progress on the longer short story and a little more progress on the novella. 

READING

I’m behind on my 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge. For some reason, I’m struggling with reading this year. But since part of this summer is all about stories, I hope to remedy that soon enough.  

WATCHING

TV – My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying My Best Friend’s An Animal [National Geographic, Hulu] So many amazing animals and people out there! (I’m always a little wary of animal shows because I don’t like when they show the gory side of nature. This one doesn’t.) 

 

Movies – We really liked Neighborhood Watch (with Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and The Drop was an entertaining way to spend an hour or so.

 

*****

 

What are your summer plans? Do you have any go-to (vegetarian!) lighter meals/salads? Or cookbooks, websites, etc. you like? Any favorite workouts or ways to make gym time go faster? Any suggestions for non-gory animal or nature shows? 

Quirks in the Night

I’m not particularly adept at using my phone – bad eyesight and fumble fingers - so when a character or a line of dialogue or a story idea strikes in the night, I don’t bother reaching for my glasses or my phone. (Besides, there’s a very good chance I’ll knock one or both of them off the nightstand anyway.) 

Instead, I nudge my husband and he’s got his phone in his hand, email open, ready to take dictation in the middle of the night. The next day, I open my email and voila! There are my thoughts, all nicely typed out and legible. (Of course, that doesn’t mean it makes sense, but that’s on me not my husband.) 

It's just one of the many, many . . . um, let’s call them, quirks . . . of mine that my husband puts up with. This month, we’ll be married 26 years, and while he is now, apparently, my personal assistant/secretary, he still is and always will be, my rock and my wings.  

WRITING

I’m playing with ideas for some upcoming themed submission opportunities, one for a drabble and one for a short story. Another short story idea is waiting patiently for its turn. 

 

Progress is being made on a longer story/novella. It’s slow going because I’m still fleshing out backstory and foundational stuff, trying to fill in as many plot holes as I can now so I don’t fall into them later. I’m considering doing my own version of NaNo later this summer to get down a first draft. 

READING

Loved the delightful and heartwarming middle grade novel Old School by Gordon Korman. Five stars and easily one of my favorite books of the year! And I also really liked Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5) by Suzanne Collins. It took me back to when I first read The Hunger Games.

 

WATCHING

TV – Thoroughly enjoyed A Man on the Inside (with Ted Danson, on Netflix)! Fun and funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Looking forward to Season Two! And, at pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum, is the dark but absolutely compelling, Adolescence (Netflix.) The acting blew my mind. 

 

Movie – My hopes for The Companion were that it would be solid, a pleasant enough way to be entertained for a couple of hours. Turned out to be way better than I thought! Dark and creepy, yes, but also a whole lot of fun in a weird twisted way. 

 

*****

Are you handy with your phone? Any tips for old Fumble Fingers here? Do you have someone in your life who encourages and supports your creativity? If you’ve done your own version of NaNo, how did you set it up and how did it go? Read or watched anything good lately?

Down But Not Out

Well, the first month of 2025 found the TSR household down for the count. My husband and I rarely get sick but when we do, it lingers. And the cold, damp, gray, rainy days did not help. In between bouts of chills and coughing and making sure the palm trees outside were not covered in snow, I’d sing “Tomorrow” from Annie, like some prayer of desperation. (And believe me, if I’m attempting to sing, it’s a desperate situation.)

 

So, pretty much all momentum was lost around here, but although we were down, we are not out! 

 

WRITING

My Write 25 in 25 helped me keep at writing, even with being sick. It’s mostly been sessions of 2-5 minutes since that was about all I could focus on.    

 

READING

I was in a bit of a reading slump, but then the fun, twisty thriller, Cross My Heart by Megan Collins pulled me in and wouldn’t let go.  

 

WATCHING

TV – We finished our re-watch of "LA Law"! We definitely enjoyed the first bunch of seasons, and even though it kind of fell apart after that, it was still fun. We’re now re-watching/watching "The West Wing." My husband and I both remember starting this series when it first came out but neither of us can remember if we ever finished it.

 

Movie – although it felt kind of long, we liked "Conclave." The acting was good. And, of course, we enjoyed the turtles. 

 

*****

How do you get your focus and/or momentum back after being sick? Have you read or watched anything that broke through a slump for you?

Slowing Down . . . Revving Up

November is one of those odd months for me. On the one hand, things are slowing down - the year is coming to a close, projects are wrapping up, and I begin looking back over those challenges and goals I set waaaay back in January. On the other hand, things are revving up - it’s lighter earlier, the weather around here tends to be brisk and cool, and I usually get a burst of mental and physical energy. As an optimistic realist, I try to be - and stay! - hopeful, approaching the upcoming year like a new planner, one full of blank pages waiting to be filled with as many positive activities and plans as possible.

 

Writing

I wrote a drabble then subbed it to a contest. Crafting stories of 100 words exactly is always a fun challenge for me!

 

Reading

I’m closing in on my 2024 Reading Challenge (52 books) over on Goodreads. I’ve mostly been ahead, which is good since I’ve hit some sort of reading slump. It’s not the books; it’s me and my focus. 

 

Watching

For Halloween, we re-watched The Silence of the Lambs. That movie never disappoints!

 

Tortoises

The tortoises took their annual trip to the vet. They’re healthy and solid - Larry is about 12 pounds and Mrs. Larry is about 9. And my back attests to these new numbers every time I bend over to pick one of them up! 

*****

Are you looking back at 2024 yet? Looking ahead? Both? Ever hit a reading slump? How did you fix it? Are you a fan of the movie, The Silence of the Lambs? If you have pets, how’re they doing? 

Baked Goods and Goals

October is my birthday month (and my husband's!), and while baked goods are always involved, we sometimes use this, not January, as the start of our new year. We make plans and set goals but keep it loose, see what’s working and what isn’t so we can tweak things before the actual new year. 

I’m considering two bigger goals for myself - one weight loss/health-related and one writing-related. We’ll see how it goes!

 

WRITING

A flash fiction story is out to an anthology – fingers crossed! And the first draft of my longer story/novella is moving forward. Slower than a tortoise full of banana, but forward is forward. 

 

WATCHING

Movies – We enjoyed The Trap (by M. Night Shyamalan) and AfrAId (starring John Cho).  

 

TV – We’re still having fun re-watching L.A. Law! We get a big kick out of seeing how many guest stars we recognize in their younger days.

 

READING

I’ve used the words dark and twisty here before when describing other books, but A. R. Torre’s, The Last Party, takes those words to a whole other level in the best way possible. Whoa. Just whoa.

 

*****

 

Do you use your birthday to look back over the year and/or look ahead? How do you celebrate your birthday? Any TV shows or movies to recommend? Read anything lately that blew you away?

 

Feeling the Heat

Well, I kind of hit the wall last month. Writing wilted. House projects petered out. I blame the heat. Key Lime Pie ice cream can only do so much.  

READING – 

Five stars for Josh Malerman’s Incidents Around the House! It’s been a long time since I was so freaked out by a book. I am still thinking about that ending…. 

 

WRITING – 

I subbed a longer short story of mine to a market I thought might be a good fit. Apparently, a lot of people thought the same thing about their stories since the market received over 700 submissions. That’s a lot of crossed fingers, including my own! Unfortunately, my story was not accepted, but a hearty congrats to all those that were! 

 

An older idea from years ago keeps popping up. I ignore it, but that doesn’t work. I jot down thoughts in a notebook in an effort to contain them then put the notebook in a drawer to keep them out of sight. That doesn’t work either. So, I’ve been noodling with the idea off and on. It’s like it was asleep for a while, then decided to stick its head out as if reminding me it’s still there and would like some attention now, please. Like the tortoises coming out of their shells, looking for more arugula to eat or for a nice shell rub. 

 

TORTOISES – 

The other day, Mrs. Larry was all smushed into a corner, but with her head poked out just enough to keep an eye on things – as usual. While Mrs. L was watchful, Larry was all chill. Head resting on the edge of the water dish, face tilted toward the window, he snoozed under the warm light. He looked so content, it made me smile. 

 

*****

 

Are there any endings – from books, TV shows, movies - that haunt you? (Please no spoilers! Don’t give away the actual ending to anything!) What do you do when an idea keeps returning? Any animal/pet antics that made you smile lately?

With Gratitude

WRITING

In April 2024, literary agent Janet Reid passed away.

Her blog was a place for learning and growing in the craft, for encouragement and support, for humor and snark, for cats and sharks. Ms. Reid gave her “Reiders” room to stretch those creative muscles by holding many, many flash fiction contests. I actually won the first one I entered, in May 2012. The moment I saw her comment – Holy Smokes! – is still one of the best of my writing journey.  

Whenever self-doubt looms – and it does, large and often - I return to that moment, and to her many comments over the years. I tell myself that if the Janet Reid saw something in my weird words and my creepy stories then maybe I can do this writing thing after all, that I should keep going. 

 

My gratitude, unlike those flash fiction contest rules, will never have a word count limit. 

*****

 

READING

A couple of unique reads for you – 

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden is tagged as historical fiction/fantasy/paranormal, and I would say it’s all that . . . and more.

 

The Deadly Daylight (Alice England Mysteries #1) by Ash Harrier is a Middle Grade mystery, and one I can’t stop raving about. I love the writing, but I adore the main character of Alice and the dynamics of her relationships with others, especially her father. 

*****

 

WATCHING

My husband and I finally finished our re-watch of the original series, “24”. Even the seasons that were kind of clunkers had great scenes and episodes. Overall, we had a blast!

 

*****

Were you familiar with Janet Reid, her blog, Query Shark? Are there words you return to when you doubt yourself, in your writing or in your life? Have any books/movies/shows to recommend? 

Revisiting

When I was done drafting this post, I realized it had a theme of sorts, that of revisiting, of returning to what once worked for me, to what I once enjoyed – writing how/what I wanted, reading certain genres, watching TV shows that make me feel both old and young again. I’m not sure why this is happening or why now, but I think I’ll continue meandering down Memory Lane for a little longer. 

 

WRITING

I’ve got three stories in the works. One is definitely flash fiction. The other two will most likely be longer short stories, with one teetering on the edge of possibly becoming a novella. 

 

This month, I’m going to work on figuring out my UWP = Unique Writer Proposition. (See James Scott Bell’s post over at The Kill Zone.).

 

READING

Some recent reads I’ve thoroughly enjoyed -  

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – historical fiction 

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra – mystery/thriller

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston – mystery/thriller

 

WATCHING

My husband and I are almost done – one and half seasons to go! - with our re-watch of “24”, the original series. We’ve also started re-watching “LA Law” and “The Stand”, the original miniseries. 

 

*****

 

Have you returned to an old way of doing something? Revisited something you enjoyed in the past? How is your creative work going? Read or watched anything good lately? 

 

Anew in November

We can finally open the windows in our house now and let the crisp, cooler air blow through, moving out and away some of the mental health issues that plagued the last couple of months. A combination of things became a slow slide I struggled to stop. 

 

But, once again, I've regrouped. My birthday was last month, and I'm grateful for another year, another chance to breathe fresh air, to walk with my husband beneath palm trees and blue skies, to pet the tortoises, and to pen the possibilities – the light and the dark - living in my imagination.

 

WRITING

I was thrilled to be one of three winners in a recent flash fiction contest held by lit agent, Janet Reid! I so needed that creative boost. Here's the link to the results post where you can read all three stories.

 

It's been a few years since I participated in NaNo, and I considered it this time around, but I don't have the oomph for it. I'm doing my own looser version in order to get this novel/novella done or as close to done as I can before the month is over. Please wish me luck!

 

 

READING

Both THE TRAP by Catherine Ryan Howard and THE LAST ONE by Will Dean were so suspenseful and twisty, I almost got paper cuts I turned those pages so fast and furious. 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the debut novel, THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb. It's a tense mystery whose characters practically jump off the page. 

 

*****

 

Are you enjoying the weather where you are? Read anything amazing lately? Any writing goals or goals in general for this month? If you're participating in NaNo, I wish you all the luck and all the words! 

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream . . . Forever

Ah, fall in Florida! When the "excessive heat advisory" drops to the regular old "heat advisory", and I defiantly keep eating Key Lime Pie ice cream even as pumpkin flavored everything rolls in. 

WRITING

Novella/Novel – I didn't achieve my goal of finishing the first draft by the end of the summer. I did make a ton of progress, though – scene cards sketched out, scenes written, an ending that makes me both happy and sad. Maybe another month to go . . .  

 

Mailing List – Um…. Nope. I'd like to say I'll do this in September but by the end of the year is more realistic. 

 

A great post over on Writers Helping Writers - "Do Your Characters Have Agency?" - got me thinking hard about my characters in general. 

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

Way back at the beginning of 2023, my goal had been to lose some pounds. That's not going very well (see Key Lime Pie Ice Cream above), but I am exercising more consistently, slowly amping up the duration and intensity. I hope to get outside soon – it's still too hot for me – to walk and ride bikes.  

 

READING

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell is a mystery/suspense/thriller that takes you on a wild, wild ride, one definitely not for the faint of heart. 

 

And for the first time in a long time, I'm ahead in my 2023 Reading Challenge.

*****

 

How was your summer? Did you make progress on any projects? Read anything that blew you away? Are you a fan of pumpkin flavored everything?

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.

Melting

So far, my summer of getting stuff done is going . . . okay. The biggest issue for me is lack of oomph. I'm not sure if it's my meandering mind, my foggy focus or the Florida summer heat. I am convinced, though, that I'm not sweating but melting, like a giant scoop of gelato. (Hey, I'm half Italian!)

 

WRITING – 

I'm struggling with the novel/novella. It's starting to sprawl, and I'm having trouble remembering everything. Apparently, my brain forgot how to hold more than one idea inside it. It's been a long time since I wrote anything longer than flash fiction so maybe that muscle is as flabby as the rest of me. I'm determined to keep at it though. I believe in it! 

 

I revised and subbed one story. Of course, it wasn't the story or the market I was aiming for, but I'll take it.

 

READING - 

I recently enjoyed two YA mystery/thrillers: QUEEN OF THE TILES by Hanna Alkaf (Scrabble tournament! Set in Malaysia!) and THIS GOLDEN STATE by Marit Weisenberg (A family on the run! A home DNA test!)

 

And I loved Chris Bohjalian's historical fiction/thriller, THE LIONESS (1960s Hollywood and an African safari!) 

 

WALKING – 

Even though we're behind on the miles challenges, we're keeping at it. I, apparently, need some sort of goal to even get up off the couch so quitting is not an option.  

 

Stats as of 6/30/2022 = 

124.2/202.2 miles (walking only)

0/100 miles

0/100 miles

 

I think I'm just going to apply – and repeat! – the tortoises' favorite mantra to everything this summer - slow and steady, slow and steady….

 

*****

 

How's your summer going? If you were a frozen treat, what would you be? Have you read anything good lately? Do you have a mantra, for the summer or in general? 

What Silence Stirs

Last month, I mentioned trying to be more aware of when I spoke and of what I said, hoping to put less "noise" out into the world. 

 

It stirred up a memory from childhood when I was told my quiet, shy personality could possibly come across to other kids as me being "stuck-up." As an adult, I worry that those same personality traits – in addition to my now trying to not blather on for no reason - are making me seem aloof or uninterested. 

 

This whole experiment also reminded me of how much I crave quiet, both outside of myself in terms of sound and hoopla, and inside of myself in terms of drama and turmoil. It almost feels like within the quiet is the only way my brain, my body, my heart can breathe anymore.  

 

WRITING –

A novella/novel is slowly coming together. It's still in the notes stage but those notes are starting to form a big messy pile so, you know, progress. 

 

WATCHING – 

TV – We really enjoyed the first season of Abbott Elementary (cute and funny!). We just started The Queen's Gambit (intriguing!) and Better Call Saul (my husband laughed so hard at a line from the first episode he about fell off the couch.) 

 

READING - 

I've recently read a number of enjoyable mystery/suspense novels – my go-to genre! - but sometimes I like to switch it up. I just finished Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang, an historical/literary fiction novel that begins in the 1880s, in China, and takes the reader on a journey that won't soon be forgotten. 

 

TORTOISES – 

Whenever we take the tortoises out on the patio, Mrs. Larry enjoys sitting under the grill. There are other places to sit with better views, but Mrs. Larry is her own tortoise. 

 

The other day, the tortoises discovered the grill actually moves. So, under Mrs. Larry's direction, Larry "the muscle" slid the grill a little this way, a little that way, until Mrs. Larry was satisfied with the new location. And, as we all know around our house, if Mrs. Larry is happy then we're all happy.

 

*****

What's your impression when you meet someone who's quiet? What do you need to "breathe"? Watched any of those TV shows? Have a go-to genre for reading? Think we should let Mrs. Larry be in charge of all things decorating and design at our place? 

Wait, What?

This month, I'm trying something new: I'm paying more attention when I speak. There's already so much "noise" in the world, I don't want to contribute to it if I can help it. So I am applying an acronym I read about over on Austin Kleon's blog: 

 

WAIT = Why Am I Talking?   

 

I hope it'll help me be more thoughtful, not only with my words but also in general. (My husband and the tortoises hope it means it will be a lot quieter around our house.) 

 

WRITING – 

My flash fiction story made the finals of a contest, tied for second place, but ultimately did not make the top three. I was happy to see, though, the positive comments, the chunk of "likes" and votes it received. I think I achieved my big, overarching goal of entertaining readers. 

WATCHING – 

Movies – I really enjoyed the creepy and unsettling Superhost. (It just totally confirmed every travel-phobic issue I have, thank you very much.) The actress, Gracie Gillam, playing Rebecca was amazing! 

 

We also re-watched Sing, which was just as good the second time around. Then we watched Sing 2 and that was fun, too. 

 

READING – 

For the first time in a very long time, I'm ahead in my Goodreads challenge = 16/52 books. I'm enjoying the more relaxed pace I set for myself.

 

WALKING – 

My husband and I were out walking when I totally surprised myself – and my husband! – by suggesting we do one of the virtual 5Ks we signed up for. (This is so not like me, I'm surprised my husband didn't look around for his real wife.) But it was early in the day, the weather was great, and I was feeling good, so we went with it. We walked, not ran, another 3.2 miles for our 202.2 Miles Challenge!

 

*****

What do you think of WAIT? Read or watched anything recently that you enjoyed? Have you surprised yourself and/or others lately?