About Me

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Considering A Name Change



Since this seems to be a year of change for me, perhaps I should consider a new direction for this blog. Would love to get some feedback on that consideration.

When I first began writing these postings, I had no idea what topics I'd address. I chose 'Comparing Apples and Oranges' with hopes it would indicate the broad range of subjects I hoped to write about. Over the years, I've vacillated from writing advice to curious word origins. There have been posts about my progress as a published author and a sprinkling of anecdotes about family and friends.

In the meantime, I continue to plod along, trying to adjust to the shake, rattle, and rolls my life is experiencing at the moment. With the recent addition of a teenage granddaughter to my household, a whole new world has been revealed. You see, this is my first experience with a female sharing my life as both my children were boys.

Then there's my son's house purchase and all the work and turmoil connected with its move from another site to our property. Forced to make the sad decision of cutting back trees, and even cut down some older ones, allowing both house and the power line to be set in position. We are three-quarters of the way and the results have left the property looking like both a hurricane and a tornado passed through.

It's been a physically-demanding summer and yet, I've managed to move forward with my writing efforts. With the release of George Washington, From Boy Surveyor To Soldier (https://www.amazon.com/George-Washington-Boy-Surveyor-Soldier-ebook/dp/B0748JBX3D/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8) this month, I'm plunging into the maddening world of promoting and selling of my books.

Speaking of books, let me tell you about the newest bookstore in our neck of the woods. Local author Stephen Woodfin and his wife Paige recently opened The Bookstore and Coffee (https://www.facebook.com/thebookstoreinkilgore/) If you're anywhere in the area, do go by and welcome this fabulous addition to the community.

Now, it's off to today's chore - taking my granddaughter round to apply for a card at a couple libraries in the area. Yes! She's a reader who likes the feel of paper in her hands.

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Just Checking In



Have you ever noticed how quickly the days slip by when life gets complicated? I thought getting used to widowhood would take some adjusting. Funny thing is, I just haven't had time to do that. Life just kept getting in the way.

When my granddaughter moved in temporarily shortly after my husband died, there was the need to rearrange the spare bedroom from his man-cave to a teenager's bedroom.

Then came the brand-new experience of shopping for a replacement car...one of those things my husband always did and I just got to approve his choice. By the way, I am loving my Kia Soul. It's a more compact car than I'm used to driving. Hubby always went for the heavier, more solid Buick or Oldsmobile.

Barely having time to get used to those changes, my son's dream of owning his own house came true. He found one just the right size for he and his daughter. The catch? It had to be moved to our property and since I owned the property, I got totally involved, both financially and physically.

First came all the paperwork and legalities of a bank loan to finance the operation. Then came the actual physical move which included some tree removal to allow the house's access to the new site. Granddaughter and I also spent a few hours removing the skirting so the movers could slide their l-o-n-g steel beams beneath the house.

Have you ever watched a house move down the highway to its new home? Quite an experience complete with police escort through the middle of town.

So, the house is in place. The trench dug for the water line and water connected from the well. Now, we have six major trees to remove so the electricity company can install a high line from the street to the house.

Have I mentioned how intense life has been? Oh, and by the way, my latest writing effort, George Washington From Boy Surveyor To Soldier (https://www.amazon.com/George-Washington-Boy-Surveyor-Soldier-ebook/dp/B0748JBX3D/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8,) has its publishing release in just a couple days. Check it out.