I’ve been taking several walks each day. For some reason, my legs want to walk. My shins hurt from the extra walking, and I find myself walking a little fast, but this is a strong body and I’m up for it. I’ve been taking just one of my trekking poles with me and sometimes Daddy’s old wooden walking stick. I posted on Facebook that I was taking a day of silence, and a pal wrote: “Not sure if being silent and posting I3, I’m counting 13 posts. How is that being silent?” I told him “LOL thanks for counting and good point! Silence to me comes in stages. The first stage is having no conversations with anyone except myself, entertaining surface thoughts. That’s the stage I’m in. A next stage is deeper thoughts with myself, and I will even share those, since I’m a writer and I journal thoughts. A next stage is thoughts that are unnecessary to share. A next stage is no thought, simply observation and basking in the goodness of It All.  I may not get there this weekend…”   Continue reading →

I’ve been hiding out and taking a few days to myself before jumping into editing April Rane‘s next book. She just sent the Prologue and Chapter One. I’m excited. I enjoyed the first mystery, Magnolia Murders.  I’m stoked she’s top rated in Amazon’s vigilante justice. There’s a preview at the link if you’re into sexy suspense thrillers –> http://booksgosocial.com/2015/03/25/the-magnolia-murders-louisiana-lady-book-one/

YinYang just drank a bunch of water then stepped outside and, um, powdered her nose in the backyard right in front of me. After what seemed like an extraordinarily productive session, she got all frisky, running back and forth then waaaaay up a tree. Drink more water all the time, Yinnie, then it won’t be such a celebration each time you poop.

A healthy, hydrated system doesn’t get constipated

I love spending holidays alone as days to reflect on my life.  About mid morning, an older red compact minivan with dark tinted windows drove by my house 3 times looking at it so intently they did not see me standing by the hedge watching them as I watered. I drove out to follow and make sure they weren’t lost. A few blocks away they began speeding through the neighborhoods to lose me. I figured I don’t need to be chasing anyone who’s acting crazy. All who wander aren’t lost.  I went for a great ride along the ocean, then bought two garden hoses and a sprinkler at WalMart. I chilled at home and did the laundry, Rain-Xed my windshield, watered the plants, transplanted some cuttings, walked a few miles, talked to the neighbor. I ended the day sitting on the back porch drinking apple juice and basking in the day’s glow.  I spent so many years having to spend holidays at certain houses because of family and social obligations, that now, I am thrilled to be free to stay home on a holiday. Friends and family, I love ya but… Free at last, not kidding.

4-25-15 Update: the mystery of the crazy driving red van on Easter morning has been solved. One looking just like it just picked up the two neighbor kids at the end of the street.

April Rane, circa mid 90’s

Yesterday I met with April Rane and we spent the morning going over the details of the upcoming second book in her mystery series, Louisiana Lady. Much of what we spoke of was technical stuff, like software compatibility. We met for breakfast at The Blueberry Muffin across from the ocean in Indialantic. When I saw the red Mustang pull in, I knew it was hers. I wore red and black and thought she might, too. I was wrong, she wore a deep orange and black. We both ordered our coffee black, with Sweet & Low. We ordered the same breakfast: eggs and potatoes, no toast. I’ve known April for 25+ years as a metaphysical teacher and psychic reader. We spent a few minutes catching up about current events and mutual friends, then discussed Magnolia Murders; Louisiana Lady, the first book in her mystery series. I just finished some technical editing for the print version and next will edit her second novel, Bogota Baby. I can’t wait!  We spent some time talking about the characters and how Amazon tracks book sales, then we drove to her home. April lives on AIA in Melbourne Beach and when I saw her place, it exactly fit her. April is very elegant and understated and her home reflects that. A great location with an ocean view, I thought of it as a mini mansion. A reception area, a parlor, lovely bedrooms and large bathrooms, a pool, sunlight flooding in everywhere, but behind cool blinds and shades. The office was my favorite, exactly the kind of room you can imagine a suspense author working from. Her feline familiar stayed close by and liked being talked to but not touched. We talked about our writing styles and habits. I think we’ll have fun working together and am looking forward to it.

Hello and welcome to the April 2015 edition of Horizons Magazine. It feels good to be back in the gym on a regular basis again. It’s too easy to get out of the habit, to tell myself that I need to do computer work instead, or that my yard work constitutes a workout. When I do the gym first thing in the morning before I go into the office, that lets my work day flow more freely and it’s a more productive and satisfying day. And my life is all about what satisfies me.  I’ve learned that changing a habit is as simple as training myself to have discipline over where I chose to place my focus. When I immerse myself in the world of that which I strive to be, I attract the circumstances and events that support my vision. If I want to get fit and strong, I’ll spend more time in the gym or Googling to learn about muscle structure. I’ll spend less time watching cooking shows or cat videos and talking with friends about fashion. Staying focused and on purpose helps me attract what I want. It’s up to me.   Continue reading →

This is the first time I’ve ever paid a car off. In my 20’s and 30’s, I thought I had to trade up every two years. Sheesh, what we do to impress and keep up with the Joneses…

What keeps you interested in a story? I just had an eye opener. I’ve been reading some Kindle mystery authors. The last time I read suspense novels, they were written by the likes of Stephen King and Agatha Christie, so I see my expectations were high. The good thing about Kindle is anyone can put a book out. I appreciate all over again how April Rane is able to weave a compelling story around interesting characters when many writers are not. What keeps your interest in a story? I want details, I want to be able to set the scene in my mind. I want to know what the self talk is throughout, and I’d like to know the details of what the surroundings look like. If it’s too detailed or boring, I can skim past it, but I like to immerse in the story by knowing the details. When a writer gives too few details, or fails to paint a picture or tell a compelling story, I lose interest.

RELATED:  I get to edit April Rane’s Mystery Series

49 degrees in the courtyard yesterday and 57 degrees this morning! I’m used to walking when it’s dark out, but since I’ve been expanding my territory, I like to wait until daylight so I can see the new sights. I don’t think I’ll be walking the Camino anytime soon but it’s fun to trek around my neighborhood pretending I’m crossing the Pyrenees. There’s not much traffic on the blocks I walk, unless I choose to wander out onto Eldron or Emerson. It is an equal mix of residential homes and wooded lots. Walking the new route at daybreak, I get to observe the wildlife at the edge of the woods out at the road. Bunnies, armadillos, opossum, raccoons, turtles, squirrels, birds, bats, snakes, lizards, butterflies, dragonflies. When I’m walking in new territory, I notice I can walk longer. Maybe that’s because I’m allowing myself to be invigorated by my own excitement of the new sights. The new sights and sounds set up new thoughts in my mind, and those new thoughts replace whatever self-talk I had going on. When I began, my left ankle had a twinge and my right knee as well. By the time I’d walked a few minutes, both stopped. I walked farther than previous, so I was aware of my shins getting a workout. I wore my ultrapadded Timberline hiking boots, which are more comfortable than my Asics for walking. The walking is like a moving meditation and is becoming part of my daily spiritual practice.   Continue reading →

Being a decision maker makes you responsible for the outcome and consequences of your choice. We learn that lesson by making bad choices. As we mature and make better choices, our mistakes will decrease.