Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Springing into Action... Very Slowly

Thought for the day: We cannot all do great things in life, but we can all do small things with great love. [Mother Teresa]




Wow, it's hard to believe April's kaput already, isn't it? I thoroughly enjoyed my month-long break from blogging, but I must confess, I didn't exactly accomplish any great things while I was awayIt's a good thing the small things matter, too, huh? In addition to the pain-in-the-butt spring cleaning stuff, I did lots of reading, enjoyed a fantabulous visit from a long-time friend, and finished off the month with a visit to our pals in Tennessee.

On second thought, maybe the month was pretty doggone great. Alas, I didn't do any writing, which I've always done during my April breaks in the past, but I did some  very productive research, so I suppose that counts for something. Hopefully, I'm ready to spring into writing action now.

As for doing all that nitty gritty housecleaning? The cruel irony of housework: people only notice it when you don't do it. [Danielle Raine] Ain't that the truth?




 Here's a pic of my friend Caryl and me taken during her visit. Ever since we met in second grade, we were the best of friends for many many years... and then somehow, many more years slipped away while we kept in touch sporadically via email, Facebook, and telephone. This was the first time we saw each other face-to-face in more than forty years, and it was as though we'd never been apart. Smarticus was a real peach, too. He let us sit in the back seat (so we could yak more easily,) while he sat up front... driving Miss Daisies. Caryl and I vowed not to let that many years slip past us again. (Not that there's a snowball's chance in Hades that we could...) Friends are people who know the song in your heart and  can sing it back to you when you forget the words. [author unknown]

Explosive Beginnings officially launched two days ago, and it's off to a pretty good start, so I have no complaints there. I'd better get my arse in gear with Clinging to Hope, though, because some of the people who won early copies through Goodreads are already bugging me about when Book Two is gonna be released. No rest for the weary. Time to ignore the pretty weather and give my muse a swift kick in the keister.

As you can probably tell, this is the monthly IWSG post, and as always, many thanks go to our fearless leader, Alex Cavanaugh, for founding this fine group, and to all the other nurturing guys and gals who've helped turn it into the thriving community it is today. To join this super supportive group of writers and to see links to other participating blogs, please go HERE

In light of how I spent my April (cough!cough!) writing time, this month's question is rather appropriate:

It's spring! Does this season inspire you to write more than others, or not? 

Um... NOT! Unfortunately. Not this year, anyway. During the long dreary drab days of winter, it's much easier to snuggle down in the house with a pen and notebook than it is when the colors and scents (achoo!) of spring are calling to me from right outside the window. All I can say is it's a good thing I don't live at the beach. I'd never write anything. Ever.

How about you? Are you more productive this time of year, or does the beauty of the season hijack your attention? (And to those of you who still haven't escaped winter's clutches, I apologize. Take heart. Winter can't possibly last forever.)

                                      Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.















65 comments:

  1. Hi Susan! I'm glad you enjoyed your month off and how wonderful that you were reunited with your dear friend Caryl! Looks like you picked up right where you left off 40 years ago! I love that Smarticus was your personal driver while she was in town.

    Since I'm always late for everything, I'd like to wish you an early Happy Mother's Day!

    Speaking of which I'm so excited about Explosive Beginnings and I will add it to my Mother's Day list!

    Julie

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    1. Hi-ya, Julie! I hope you're doing well. (I'll call soon... I promise.)

      Yeah, it was too cool getting together with Caryl again. I can't believe we let that many years slip by.

      And a very Happy Mother's Day to you, too. I hope we have the paperback ready for you by then. :)

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  2. How nice that you had a great break and were able to meet up with an old friend. Hope the book will be a rousing success! I find housework very overrated! Enjoy the rest of the week, hugs, Valerie

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    1. It's amazing what seeing old friends can do for the soul. Turns out... we're still young on the inside!

      Thanks. The paperback version isn't ready just yet, but as soon as it is, I'll be shipping one your way. (I didn't forget!)

      You have a fabulous week, too. Hugs back atcha.

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  3. Welcome back. Your break sounds restorative and lovely. We are moving (finally) into the cooler seasons here and my heart is very glad.

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    1. Thanks. It's good to be back. :)

      I'm glad the temperatures are giving you a break. It's in the eighties here now, and our hot spell is just beginning. (Thank goodness for air conditioning!)

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  4. I just got your book & I'll read & review it soon. Welcome back!!

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  5. Goodreads is already bugging you for volume 2? Yikes. A bit of breathing space would be nice. this is one of the things that scares me into not writing a book, being bombarded with requests for 'the next one', when I may not have a next one in the works or even planned.

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    1. No, not Goodreads itself... the people who won and read the book through Goodreads. :)

      Don't let yourself be scared out of writing a book. If you want to write... write. It doesn't matter if you write one book or fifty. Just do it for you.

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  6. I’m with you! When the weather finally straightened out (that was yesterday) I wanted to be outside doing anything but looking at a screen. It was such a long winter. I want to bask in the sun now. I love that you’re relishing the “small things.” Awesome quote!

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    1. One of my favorite saying when I was young was, "Don't sweat the small stuff." I still agree with that sentiment, because I can't see getting bent out of shape over insignificant things. On the other hand, as I've gotten older, I also appreciate that there are many small things in our everyday lives that should be celebrated.

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  7. I love the Miss Daisy driving situation - how sweet of your hubby to let you guys yammer away in the back seat :-)

    Congrats on the new release. I have it downloaded and looking forward to reading it. That's great feedback that early readers want the next book now.

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    1. Me, too! At first, when he suggested Caryl and I sit in the back, I thought it was strange, but it sooo wasn't! It was totally cool. :)

      Thanks. I hope ya like it. (It's waaay different from my first book.)

      I finished reading your book while we were in Tennessee, but I haven't written a review yet. (Just got home yesterday, so I'm playing catch-up right now.) But I will. Soon. (YES! I LIKED it!)

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  8. Glad to hear the new release is going well.

    Love the quote about housework, how people only notice when you don't do it - so true!

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    1. Thanks. :)

      It's abso-doggone-lutely true about housework. People rarely notice. I used to scrub and wax our kitchen floor so often, people could eat from it if they wanted. But pbbbbt! Who wants to eat on the floor? Besides, we have cats. Enough said.

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  9. Oh Susan, I'm head-over-teakettle for your new header photo! 'So glad your gals' reunion was a super time ... and props to your hubby for Driving Miss Daisies. :)

    I've got your book downloaded ... scurrying to finish my current read. (Unfortunately, my mind's never mastered the fine art of reading in stereo.)

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    1. Thanks. I really like that picture, too. (I got it from Morguefile... lots of super pictures available there for free downloading.)

      HA! I read enough as it is. I don't think my hubby would be impressed if I developed a talent for reading in stereo. :)

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  10. That's cool you got to meet up with an old friend. I've friends I've not seen in many years as well.

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    1. It was totally cool. If you have the opportunity to see your old friends, I highly recommend it.

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  11. So glad you had such a great April break. It is often the little things in life that mean the most. Hope you have a merry merry month of May !

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    1. Thanks. Yes, you're right. The little things do mean a lot. Happy May to you, too!

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  12. "Friends are people who know the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you forget the words." Love that :-) Good luck with your book!

    Ronel visiting on Insecure Writer's Support Group day: Autumn Decisions

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    1. Isn't that quote fantabulous? And so true, too.

      Thanks for the good wishes. I do appreciate it. :)

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  13. I love that quote about friends, not heard it before :)

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    1. Me, too. That quote really rings true, doesn't it?

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  14. After the diligent (not to mention admirable) work you've done on your recent book, I think you greatly deserved to take time off in April. It was obviously a wonderful month. Friends are the lights in our lives, and old friends are definitely the best (I'm not speaking chronological age, of course).

    As for winter - - I thought it would NEVER end this year. Now that a breath of spring has finally arrived (and hopefully decides to stay) I am feeling much more inspired to write.

    But, of course, like you - - I'd rather be at the beach.....

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    1. Old friends are definitely the best. Reminds me of a song our daughter used to sing when she was in the Girl Scouts: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold." You may not have been referring to our chronological age, but if the shoe fits... (Doesn't matter! We acted like kids again.)

      We just got home from Tennessee yesterday. One morning, it was in the thirties! Yipes. And some of the trees didn't even have their leaves yet... sure didn't look like springtime.

      Yes, the beach. No matter what time of year.

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  15. The small things definitely matter. And when you have many small things, they can add up to be bigger than a single big thing. :)

    Friendships like that are wonderful.

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    1. Good point. Even when the steps are baby steps, they eventually manage to cover some ground. :)

      Yes, it's amazing how well some friendships endure. We were both a teensy bit concerned that we wouldn't have anything in common any more, but there was no need. We're still very much alike.

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  16. I agree. Burn down the house. =D

    How awesome that you got to catch up with your friend. I have a one of those who is on the other side of the country. We're both deep in the mom state or else it would be really tempting to get together. One day...

    Demands for a sequel already? Rock on!

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    1. I don't know about burning the house down now, but our kids might when we're gone. It'd be easier than dealing with all our stuff.

      Yes... one day. That's what we said, too. Thank goodness we lasted long enough to make it happen. :)

      I'm rocking, I'm rocking...!

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  17. I'm with you--it's easier to want to stay in the warmth and write during winter. Once spring hits I can't wait to get out in the garden and the sunshine. (My allergies don't agree, but I ignore them until I can't. ;) )

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    1. HA! Yeah, I tend to ignore the sneezing and wheezing, too... until they demand attention. :)

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  18. Hi Susan - great fun post to read ... what a pleasure having Caryl to stay and catching up with her: fun and always good - those fun times of yore, and all the bits in the middle where life has changed to the now - sitting, chatting and generally enjoying each other's company. Excellent to read ... and I must look into Explosive Beginnings ... cheers to your 2nd one .. good luck - Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary. Yes, it really was fun to play "remember that time..." with Caryl. Lots of shared memories since childhood.

      Cheers back atcha!

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  19. How wonderful you and your longtime BFF finally got together in person. I know both of you had a fantastic reunion. Congrats on your new EXPLOSIVE BEGINNINGS!

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    1. It really was wonderful. It'd been way too many years.

      Thanks! :)

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  20. Research counts. Friends count more. Sounds like you had some excellent catch-ups - times to treasure. I'm totally distracted by blooms and green grass. My productivity is outdoors. And I'd be hanging out with you at a beach too, if it was near by. Forget writing - waves, baby!
    congrats on your book - I need to check it out and read on the patio. Happy May!

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    1. Yes, friends definitely count more. We had a LOT of memories to rehash. :)

      Thanks for the congrats. Happy May to you, too!

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  21. haha that is true about housework. Getting to meet up with an old friend is a win. Spring can sure cut into writing time, if one likes to outdoors and isn't far ahead.

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    1. Yeah, getting to hang out with Caryl after all these years was a huge win. Fun, too!

      I have a feeling you write year-round, no matter what the weather's like. :)

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  22. I think your month off sounds wonderful! We all need some time to recharge and do nothing. I'm glad you got to visit with your friend. That in itself can be a revitalizing event. Happy spring to you and welcome back!

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    1. Yeah, it was pretty doggone wonderful. :)

      Thanks, and happy spring to you, too!

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  23. I hate to sound like a know it all, but I told you that book was an excellent read. I'm not at all surprised it's doing well.

    I'm glad your visit with your friend went so well. Friends are the bomb!

    And for someone who didn't get much done during your break, you sure did stay awfully busy!! Also, research certainly does count. It's a necessary part of the process.

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  24. Love the thought for the day. That is worth clinging to :)

    And I can't say any one time of year is more productive than any other, but I do find I enjoy writing the most during the spring and summer months when I can take my laptop out onto the deck and sit under the parasol with a cold beer close at hand ... *sigh*

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    1. That's one of my favorite quotes, too. :)

      I like the idea of writing outside in the spring and summer, but if you stay out there in one place too long here, you get covered with pollen and bugs. :)

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  25. I know about long friendships, especially those from childhood. These are the people that you may not see often, but they are always in your heart and head. How wonderful that you two got together after 40 years.

    I have downloaded your book and will be reading it as soon as I get all my plants into the ground. Two days ago, I was bundled up watching my granddaughter playing soccer; today summer heat and humidity will be another challenge.

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    1. It really was wonderful. The years just melted away...

      This weather's been beyond bizarre, hasn't it? Early mornings were in the thirties when we were in TN, but it warmed up to the high 70s the day we left. Here, it's starting to feel suspiciously like summer.

      Cool on the book. I hope you like it!

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  26. You've been a very busy lady, and I'm so glad your visit was a blast. But knowing you, how could it not have been!
    I can't believe May is already here, I've been so lazy!

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    1. Hey, kiddo!

      Lazy? Hellooooo? You live on the BEACH! Goes with the territory. :)

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  27. Really liked your new header pic, friend Sue ... reminded me of my 3 sheep I once had ... their names were Mini, Molly and Mona ... 2 were black face and one was white face ... Molly white face one day was attacked by coyotes or my own dogs? but she was standing on my veranda one day bleeding heavily and died just standing there until she fell down ... Mini and Mona black face were sold to some sheep farmer for $50/ piece ... he later told me that Mini was an awful mother to her lambs, so she went into his freezer ... Mona is still around and he says he said he will keep her for how ever long she chooses to be alive as she gave him many a good spring crop ... now she is too old for anything and comes and eats dog food on his porch and occasionally comes into his house and lays down in his kitchen floor ... smiles ... ya ... and that s how life goes or not, hmmm? ... You having a good Spring so far? Love, cat.

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    1. Awww. Poor Molly. And poor you, too, for having to see it. At least Mona is enjoying a peaceful old age.

      So far, so good. I hope spring is treating you well, too.

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  28. Old friends are the best friends!

    Whaddaya mean...spring clean? Is that something we're supposed to do?

    I'm getting your book as soon as I'm done with the one I'm reading now!

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    1. For sure. Our daughter learned a song when she was in Girl Scouts that went: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." How true!

      Theoretically, your weather feels like spring or summer year round, so maybe the spring cleaning thing doesn't apply there. :)

      Cool! I hope you like it. :)

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  29. 2 nights ago, just before midnight, I thought I heard voices --it was just my wheezing lungs arguing with each other. Got up exchanged my pjs for levis and gathered tools from the pumphouse. Had been taking cold showers for over a week and was getting panic attacks. I'd figured out where the plumbing leak was after supporting 4 plumbers for a week. I dug out and sawed off the pipe. Plugged it and was back in bed by one a.m.. Plumbers returned 7 hours later, accepted the family fortune and we had a group hug. Everything's new down there. I know this is no more than peripherally related to spring cleaning but I just had to share. Beautiful photos, Susan, but most lovely is the one of you and Caryl.

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    1. Figures. You had to pay four plumbers... but you're the one who solved the problem. Good for you. Nothing better than a man who knows his way around a toolbox. :) Enjoy those hot showers... you earned it.

      Thanks. Caryl, Smarticus, and I graduated from high school together, so we had lots of fun memories to kick around.

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  30. You and Caryl look totally at ease there :-)
    I love writing outdoors in spite of bugs and weather, but everyone has their own rhythm, and as long as you follow that I think things go well enough. I'm going to be ordering your book very soon, just waiting for wages! Will try not to nag for the next one... xx

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    1. Caryl and I were completely at ease from the very moment she walked into the house. It was awesome.

      With as slowly as I write, a little nagging is sometimes necessary. :)

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  31. I'm going to pass your Spring cleaning tip on to Mrs Bazza after I have checked out our insurance policy!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s friable Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  32. Pleased that you had a great break and were able to meet up with an old friend... that's always nice to do.
    Hope your book goes well.

    All the best Jan

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