This Life...
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Sunday Snippet: The Nan and Min’s Big Day Edition
Yup, yesterday was a big day. I participated in the Indy Author Event for the first time. It was quite a day of meeting new authors and new readers, and catching up with long-time friends who are authors and readers. As a participating author, I had two tickets to give away, so way back last fall, I’d gifted them to a couple of readers at a book club. I was delighted when Marcia and Sue appeared at my table to say hello, grab a quick hug, and buy books. I had my booth babe, Min, with me and she kept me organized and on track, restocking book stacks, taking…
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Sunday Snippet: Those Lazy, Hazy, Not-so-Crazy Days Edition
We’ve been up here at the lake for a few days and I’ve been unnaturally lazy. Not inspired, not motivated, not anything really. I’ve been swimming and working as I always do up here, because as I’ve said repeatedly, I just pack up my act and take it on the road when we come up to the lake. (Thank heaven for laptops!). But no stirring of ambition that’s making me want to jump up and down. And maybe that’s okay. Do we always have to be fired up? At my age, constantly being “on” feels exhausting, and I have to psych myself up for “on” times. (I have one coming…
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Sunday Snippet: The I’m Older and I’m Okay Edition
Yes, I’m going to talk about aging today, so if you’re sick and tired of hearing about people (read me!) getting older, I’d suggest you go do something else. Watch YouTube or Netflix, scroll on your phone, or read a book on your Kindle. Seems like I keep hearing that people I know or who are part of my worldview have died–Bonnie Tyler, Sam Neill, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, Peabo Bryson, David Clayton-Thomas, Neil Sedaka, Sophie Kinsella, Rob Reiner, Eric Dane (Dr. McDreamy)… and closer to home and less recently, my mom, my sister, Kate, my best friend, Dee, and other cousins, friends, and contemporaries. Kate would’ve turned 75 in June,…
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Sunday Snippet: The In Between Edition
Good Sunday morning, mes amis. It’s a gorgeous day here at the lake. Grandboy is sleeping in my guest room, Husband is out on the deck basking in the morning sun with a cup of coffee, and I’m here in my lake “office.” (Read bedroom with a card table and wooden chair.) We had a lovely evening with Grandboy while his parents went out to celebrate their 24th (!!) anniversary. He regaled us with tales of Scout camp shenanigans and told us about the badges he earned. The kid is interested in everything and just a fun storyteller. We love every moment with him. He’s already claimed his spot on…
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Sunday Snippet: The Reasons to Be Glad this Fourth Edition
This one will be short because honestly, if I don’t keep it short and sweet this weekend, I could easily get off on a rant that would serve no one but me. However, I will say that it’s been hard to feel celebratory this Fourth of July. Some things helped, though … PBS’s annual “A Capitol Fourth.” Watch it even if it is July 5. It will make you feel good about the United States again and give you hope. Click and watch. You’ll be glad you did. Brandi Carlile’s version of “America the Beautiful” sung in front of the Statue of Liberty will touch your patriotic soul and again,…
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Sunday Snippet: The June Memos Edition
It’s time for more memos, don’t you think? It’s been awhile, June is nearly over, summer has truly started … it’s time. So, without further ado… Dear Summer, Welcome back. The first part of June was as wet and chilly as March and I began to wonder if you were ever going to show up. But you are here … temps in the 90s next week, hot sunshine, and real Midwest summer weather. Already sweltering, Nan ~*~*~*~ Dear People in My Head, I know you are all waiting anxiously for your storis to be told–and they will be told. But I just wrote THE END on Levi and Zoey’s story,…
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Sunday Snippet: The Father’s Day Musing Redux Edition
Y’all, it’s Father’s Day, so I’m posting a Father’s Day message I’ve posted before because honestly, it’s the one that tells it all for me. So… here you go… updated slightly, and with random pics of my two favorite dads stuck in here and there… ~*~*~*~ For many years, Father’s day was an…uncomfortable holiday for me. My dad left our family when I was 6 years old, and was never really in my childhood, except for the occasional times of us going to where he worked to pick up the few dollars he was willing to give us. He rarely paid support and my mom worked her tail off going to…
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Sunday Snippet: The I’m Not Really Here Edition
Okay, so that’s not exactly true. I’m here, but I’m crazy busy getting ready to not be here. On Tuesday, I’m headed to RAGT26–the annual Reader Author Get Together in Cincinnati. Pal, fellow Tule author, and fab travel buddy, Carol Light and I are both participating in this event, which is a huge author/reader … well, get-together. About 50 authors and around 350 readers connect for a three-day book lovefest. There are events scheduled for darn near every moment, including a luncheon that Carol and I are hosting (pal and fellow Tule author J.C. Kenney is also sponsoring, but is unable to attend). We are also going to be hosting…
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Sunday Snippet: The Memorial Day Memories Edition
The older I get, the more I crave community—like-minded people who enjoy the same things I do, who believe in the same things I believe in, who want the same things I want. Not just in the social sense, but in all areas of my life. It’s why I joined the newest chapter of Romance Writers of America last year, and why I belong to the Editorial Freelancers Association, why I meet up with my Lovelies for lunch, why I go on retreats with Lizzie twice a year, and why I read the blogs I read and participate with comments. It’s why I stay on Facebook and Instagram and Bluesky,…
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Sunday Snippet: The Pink Primroses, Daisies, and a Real Snippet Edition
When Husband and I got home from a week at the lake yesterday, we both sucked in a breath of awe–our primroses and daisies are blooming! The front gardens look glorious and lush with flowers and ferns and hostas–we are a festival of color and greenery! Take a look! I am not, as I have told you on more than one occasion, a gardener. I don’t like yardwork, I find weeding tedious and annoying, and watering and trimming a wicked necessity. But wow, doing the work is so worth the effort! My gardens are nothing compared to my lovely neighbors who work in theirs every day and their work…