Tractoring

Day number two on the seriously wet and rainy regime. Yesterday? Buckets of rain, all day long. Today? Forecast similar.

No complaints here. I'm working hard on the book. Just starting Chapter 15. Eating a lot of peanut M&Ms.

Just a few days ago, things were bright and sunny here on the farm.

The meadow was mowed.
I love those straight lines!

I've got to say, I get a kick out of tractors.

It's interesting to watch the rolled hay come out the back of this contraption.

I wasn't standing in the right spot to see it, but trust me, rolls were made!

Today, back to writing. What about you? What's keeping you busy?

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Cake and Steam

Good Monday morning. How was your weekend? I hope it went well.

Here, I was busy. No surprise, that. Saturday I spent working in the yard, canning tomatoes and making blueberry jam. Oh, and I did laundry and housecleaning. Funny how a day zips by when you're in go-go-go mode.

Yesterday? Much more laid back. Dreary, threatening to rain all day long, Mother Nature didn't have to push me to say inside. I chatted on the phone with several friends (really, thank God for friends who know when to listen. They also seem to have an uncanny way of knowing just when I need them most, and ring right then!) which was relaxing.

Then, I spent the rest of the day working on the new book. Yes, it's all very exciting, hitting the midway mark in the book. I'm having fun with this book, just letting myself introduce ridiculous events as well as bringing on some steam. Thanks to an insistent Boston doctor, this book will sizzle somewhat. Hey, she insisted! Anyhow, it's keeping me busy and that's all good.

So. The good. No bad. But the ugly? I'm not sure about that one yet. I've become addictied to Entenmann's New York Style Crumb Cake. So...the ugly just might be my thighs if I don't get a grip.

Thighs, schmighs! I'm sticking with the cake!

Life is too short to skip the cake. And this one? It's sooo good!

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Lark Friday

I'm over at The Lark Journals today.

Hope to see you there!

Farm Happenings

Summer is a busy time here at the farm. The days seem so short, mostly because I'm trying to fit in weeding, mowing, harvesting, canning, freezing, housekeeping and, last but not least, writing. Yes, my days have been jam-packed but I like it that way. Not an awful lot of spare time to think, which is a good way to get through the days.

As usual, I'm hitting the floor running today so I thought I'd share a couple of photos. That way you can see what kept me busy just a few days ago.

First, though, I've got to show you one of my favorite things. Do you see that lovely bracelet hanging on the vase holding a lily my sweet man planted for me about three years ago? (Yes, I know it's a long, convoluted question but, honestly, everything is important so I squashed it all in!) Anyhow, I've been wearing that bracelet in remembrance of those who suffer from the monster leukemia. I love the bracelet. It is comfortable, warms my heart and gives me hope that someday no one will suffer from the disease.

Strides are being made. Yesterday's news featured the fabulous news that three cases of CLL, the most common type of leukemia, are being treated successfully in a new manner. Three cases may not seem huge to someone who's never dealt with the disease. Believe me, every case is important and every life saved matters. This news gives hope that treatments are evolving, lives will be saved and maybe, someday, the monster leukemia won't claim any more beautiful people.

Anyhow, that bracelet? I love it and wear it everyday. I park it when I'm going to do something messy, which is why it's hanging on the lily.

Now, to the messy...

Blackberries, raspberries and blueberries just keep coming here.

Honestly, I can't pick the blueberries quickly enough!

Raspberry Jam

Mangoes.
They didn't grow here on the farm.
Wouldn't it be amazing if we could grow tropical fruits here?
Hmm...

Mangoes getting hot and sticky.

Now, mango jam!

So many cucumbers!

Washed and dried.

I love dill pickles!

So, what's been going on in your neck of the woods? Anything you'd care to share?

Wishing you a peaceful day!

The Ties That Bind

"Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”
- Jack Benny

August 10th is a special day in our family. It's the day we celebrate two great men, a day of love and laughter.

If you can't already tell, it's one of my favorite days.

My husband loved his brother-in-law Joe like a brother, and for good reason. Joe's a family anchor. He holds everyone together to celebrate joy as well as to weather the difficult times. He never flinches, no matter how crazy life gets. His faith in his family endures, growing stronger with each passing year. Joe is a good, kind, caring, respectful and compassionate man.

That's not to say this rock solid man is too serious. Quite the opposite, in fact. Never one to let the opportunity to crack a joke or bring a giggle pass, Joe's sense of humor keeps the family smiling. He is quick to point out there's sunshine after rain, folly in even the ordinary things and always a reason to see the bright side. Our "showers and s**t" standing joke makes me smile, even when Joe's nowhere around. I see a cloud or get hit by a raindrop, and instantly I hear Joe's voice inside my head, commenting on the showers and...well, you my point.

I told you we celebrate two men today, didn't I? Well, apple trees make apples, and in this case that's a good thing.

My husband's favorite nephew, John, was born on his father's birthday. An amazing birthday gift, don't you think? Way to go, Josie!

John is like his father in so many regards. Smart, thoughtful, kind and ready to do anything for those he holds dear, he is a strong family man. He is selfless, always more concerned with the needs of those he loves than his own. John's core beliefs are unshakable, which is one of my favorite things about his character. He has faith, loves his family and, like his father, never flinches--not even when life gets bumpy.

I'm blessed to have several photos of my darling husband laughing into a telephone. I'll give you one guess who's on the other end. That's right. John and Vito laughed so many times, over so many things, and the sound of that beautiful laughter rings in my ears and warms my heart. It is a gift I'll treasure forever.

While Joe's jokes often focus on the obvious, which is good because there are so many tidbits in daily living that really are ridiculous, John's humor is different. He sees beyond and beneath what the rest of us see. He sees the funny beyond the facade. And it's not like he contemplates long and hard, digging deep to find humor. Oh, no. John's insight is instant, the jokes he cracks like bursts of mental lightning.

I've got to admit it. There have been too many times to count when John's made me cry--from laughing so hard. He's also made me choke on my drink--because he said something that made me laugh mid-swallow. And John, like his dad, has brought joy that will last long after the laughter fades.

So, a special day in our family. We're blessed to be able to celebrate the birthdays of two amazing men. Life doesn't get much better than that, does it?

Happy birthday, Joe! Happy birthday, John! I love you!

Avoid the Nuts

A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?--Albert Einstein

Ever have a day when you ask yourself a similar question...again and again? And again?

Welcome to my world.

I asked myself a version of the brilliant man's question about a dozen times yesterday. Every now and again, I'd head outside just to remind myself that even when others are nuts (and that really is the kindest way to put it), there is much more to contemplate.

Just let it go...

So, a day of ins and outs, head shaking and lots of thinking there are people who not only don't get it--they never will get it. So, I'm moving along.

What about you? Ever have hazy, crazy, questioning days like the one I just plowed through? Me, I go outside and pick berries, walk beneath the trees, smell the flowers and watch birds when it happens. What do you do? How do you get the craziness out of your mind?

Today I've got a date with a chapter. And a boat. And a sandwich. And, quite possibly, a rock. Yes, the book is coming along. At least the people in my books are only as crazy as I let them be. Woo hoo!

Wishing you a peaceful day. Stay away from the nuts, okay?

Bony Fingers

Yes, it's true. I'm writing. My fingers may not be bony yet but they sure do hurt. The wrists, too. It's annoying, for many reasons, but mostly because I've been trying to baby them a bit by stopping writing before I'd like to. Hoping this is just a fleeting annoyance.

Especially since I'm really enjoying writing this book. Vito and I spoke about it last summer, laughed over the trials our heroine finds in her path and imagined all sorts of ridiculous situations for her. So, I'm trying to make those fun conversations come to life. I hear him laughing, so it is a good experience.

So, off to write. Then, jam making. Afterward, garden harvesting...cukes, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. Still waiting on the eggplant, but I have faith.

What about you? What have you got planned for this summer Monday?

A Lark

I can't seem to stay away, can I? Even unplugged, I pop back in to chat.

Just want to let you know I'm over at The Lark Journals today. Hope you'll stop by and say hi!

Wishing you a peaceful Friday.

Unplugging

Good day, friends. I hope this finds you well and enjoying a lovely, peaceful Thursday.

Me? Well, I've got a kitchen counter covered with peaches, cukes, eggplants, tomatoes and a fridge full of berries. I've got some serious canning to do. And, there's more growing in the garden as we speak!

AHH!

Too, I need to put myself in front of the computer and work on the new book. I'm into chapter seven, really enjoying the way it's going and am anxious to put more time in on the story.

So...

I'm going to unplug for a day. Maybe two.

Hoping to be back by the weekend. Until then, I wish you joy. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy News

Exciting news!

My Avalon Regency romance, The Christmas Bargain, is going to be released in large print by Thorndike Press. They're the world's leading publisher of large print books.

The large print volume has a different cover. I saw it for the first time yesterday. Honestly, I'm really thrilled by this turn of events. What a great surprise!

The link is here if you want to take a peek. So nice to get happy news.

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Kindness

Kindness is something that stays with a person long after it's shown. It keeps a song in the heart and a smile on the lips, bringing joy and peace indefinitely. I think it grows, actually.

I woke this morning, smiling because I recalled instantly two kindnesses that lifted me up yesterday. And, since I'm still feeling their effect today, their lifting properties are definitely in full force.

A beautiful gift arrived in my mailbox. It steals my breath, it is so lovely. I am wearing it now, feeling the love behind its making and an attachment to my sweet husband as well. It's gorgeous, and gives me such comfort.

The second gift? A phone call from someone dear. God bless him, he called just when I was beginning to feel blue. A short chat, catching up on what's been going on and sharing gardening stories pulled me right back to my feet. It was a reminder that I'm not alone, even when I'm lonely.

So many people have said, "Call me when you're ready." I know they mean well, but, honestly, waiting for a widow to "be ready" isn't much help at all. It takes a huge amount of energy for someone who's lost her way to even get through the basics; making phone calls requires too much effort. It's less taxing to simply fall into a funk, so, really, a random, short, uplifting call is a gift. The kindness lingers, and is greatly appreciated.

There you have it. Yesterday, the ordinary weeding, writing, mowing and garden harvesting punctuated by two amazing acts of kindness. All in all, one of the best days I've had in a while.

What about you? How did your day go? And do you have any plans for today?

Me? I'm going to weed, harvest, write and wash the truck. It's going to be another scorcher so washing the truck sounds like fun, don't you think?

And I'm going to smile because kindness grows. In this case, it brings some measure of peace, too. And gratitude...lots and lots of gratitude.

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Madcapped Monday

Whew! Farm life this weekend was way beyond hectic. Every minute filled, lots of dashing from one project to the next and more dishwashing than I care to remember.

The good news? So much progress. Jams, pickles and relish all canned. Mowing, weeding and vegetable and fruit picking under control.

And the new book is moving right along, another huge milestone for me. Better yet, now, thanks to my dear sister/friend Donna, it even has a title. Thanks, Donna!

So, this Monday morning as I dash off to tackle today's farm chores, I want to share a couple of from-the-farm photos. Everything is thriving, and oh-so green!

Peaches. The trees are loaded with 'em, and they're wonderfully sweet.

I pick raspberries twice a day.
The jam from these berries is awesome!

Just so plain and pretty.

I cut down a load of this but didn't have the heart to completely erradicate it.

Even weeds have their place, don't you think?

Wishing you a peaceful Monday!