Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Had some unexpected things pop up last week along with a doctor appointment so I didn't get as much writing done as I'd hoped. This week should be a quiet week (unless something else pops up) so I hope to get a lot of writing done.

Motivational Quote: "It doesn't matter how small the action is, if we all do the little that we can, it will make a difference." ~ Wangari Maathai

What I'm Reading: I finished reading Cut and Run by Mary Burton last night. I'm not sure what I'll read this week. I still have a couple of books from the library to read before they have to be returned.

Random Thoughts:  While the sky was cloudy in my area during the majority of the eclipse, it was fascinating the way everything became so dark and quiet and then lightened back up and the birds started chirping again. We stood on our back porch to view it so there wasn't any noise from a crowd reacting to what was occurring like in some places. 

Random Photo:

After the first orchid we received died soon after it was given to us, my sister gave us another one. We've had much better luck this time around. As you can see, it's currently blooming. This is the 3rd year we've gotten blossoms.

Solar Eclipse 2024

Rather than do my usual Monday Check In post, I thought I'd do a little something different due to the Eclipse happening today. I am lucky enough to live within the path of totality. It should reach my area around 3:15pm EST or so. 

I have my eclipse glasses and have taken the day off from the day job. (Mainly because I didn't want to be on the highway coming home when the eclipse occurs in my area.) I've seen lunar eclipses before but this will be the first solar eclipse that I'll be able to view in person. I'm looking forward to the experience.

                                                 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  Had an okay week writing wise. I'm going to do Camp NaNoWriMo this month. It officially starts today, April 1st. I'm hoping by participating, it'll help me get between 25k and 30k written in April. 

Motivational Quote: "I believe any success in life is made by going into an area with a...furious optimism." ~ Sylvester Stallone

What I'm Reading: I finished The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong last night. It's the second book in the Haven's Rock series. I'll start a new book tonight but I haven't chosen one yet. I have four books I borrowed from the library so it'll be one of those. 

Random Thoughts: My cat, Mrs. Green, likes to sit on my lap in the evenings. Usually when I'm trying to do something that makes it difficult for her to sit on my lap like crocheting. When she does settle in and get comfortable, I hate to disturb her. It's become a joke among my family that I can't do anything if the cat is on my lap. Change out "dog" for "cat" and I could be Charlie Brown in the picture below.

Random Photo:

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  I actually managed to get some writing done after more days than I care to admit without getting anything done. I feel like I'm getting back on track. 

Motivational Quote: "Wake up determined. Go to bed satisfied. And somewhere in between eat a cookie." ~ Dwayne Johnson.

What I'm Reading: I started The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery this past weekend. I was looking for something that would be a light, quick read and this book seemed like a good choice. 

Random Thoughts: We had a very mild winter with very little snow and higher than normal temperatures. The first full day of spring brought three inches of snow and it's snowed every day since. We got eight inches last Friday night into Saturday. It was sunny yesterday and a tiny bit warmer so here's hoping that was winter's last hurrah and spring weather will be here to stay.

Random Photo:

The snow threatened our barely there daffodil buds so I cut them and brought them inside hoping they would still bloom. They all did. Please ignore Mrs. Green. She loves flowers and had to check them out.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I didn't get any writing done last week. I contracted a stomach bug that was so virulent that I ended up in the hospital due to dehydration and low electrolyte and magnesium levels. I was discharged Wednesday afternoon, but it took the next three days for me to completely recover and get back to my normal self. 

Motivational Quote:  "There is no royal and flower strewn road to success, and if there is I have not found it for what success I have obtained is the result of many sleepless nights and real hard work." ~ Madam C. J. Walker

What I'm Reading:  I'll be starting Murder at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong this evening. This is the first book in the Haven's Rock series, but in my opinion, it could be considered a continuation of the Rockton series.

Random Thoughts:  The last few weeks have been a test of patience. I am sincerely hoping I'm done with heath issues and other things that have been keeping me from the things I want and/or need to do.

Random Photo:

Our few crocuses have blossomed. Our daffodils and tulips are growing tall and should blossom soon.

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I'm still having problems sitting comfortably even propped with pillows so sitting for any length of time trying to write has been difficult. I've started to use just heat on my ribs as it seems to help more than the ice does. I'm hoping to get more than a few pages written this week. As much as I didn't want to, I made the decision to push the release date for Caine's book to May. I'm not sure how long it will be before I'm able to get back to my normal writing schedule and think it's best to give myself an extra month to meet the revised publishing deadline. 

Motivational Quote:  "It's not about the accomplishment, it's about the very slow and grueling work of just getting better at something over time. It always takes time." ~ Mary H.K. Choi

What I'm Reading: I started reading The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery yesterday afternoon. It's a stand alone women's fiction novel. I've read nearly all of the books Ms. Mallery has published and enjoy them whether they are romance or women's fiction.

Random Thoughts:  I'm looking forward to the solar eclipse on April 8th. I took the day off from the day job because the city where I live is in the direct path and my work day ends about 30 minutes before the total eclipse is supposed to happen. I wanted to ensure I would be home and not stuck on the highway during that time. Have you made any special plans around the eclipse? 

Random Photo:

    The cat's version of "I'm too hot and need to stick my foot outside the blanket."