Full Heart

You know how some people fill your heart--without even trying? Just the thought of them brings a smile and really makes your heart swell? You've got people in your life who have that magical ability, don't you?

I'm blessed with many people who make my heart sing. Yesterday was Vito's sister Josie's birthday. I can't say "sister in law" because the woman is a sister in my heart. Full-on, no-doubt-about-it sister. Just thinking of her makes me smile, brings warmth to my heart and makes my world a happier place.

Happy Birthday, Jo. I love you.

What about you? Fast--name a person who makes you smile.

A Reminder

There's a chill in the air this morning. It reminds me that this isn't that far away.

Wow. That's all I can say. Just wow.

Monkey-ing Around

Now in my Etsy shop!

Fall Magic

Oh, yeah. It's that time of year again. Pumpkin time--don't you just love them? I do. I really do.

In the spring I planted a few hills of pumpkins. Some winter squash. A couple of gourds. Then, I ignored that garden. No weeding. Watering only during the big heat wave. I didn't even search beneath the big leaves to see what grew.

Now, though, I see the magic. A few seeds. Some sun. Time. And...magic.

My plan? To put the pumpkins at the end of our driveway, with a small sign. An invitation to enjoy the magic.

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Between Land

Between books. A weird place to be, really. Missing the characters in my mind and heart who I've come to know and love. Really, it's kind of lonely around the place now.

So, I'm thinking about the next book. Just thinking at this point. It'll be different from the last book but there'll be a love story.

Only this time, no duck. That's right, I'm leaving the duck out of the next book. I mean, there can't be a duck in every book, right?

I don't think I'll begin writing until I get the pre-winter farm chores squared away. Then, with long stretches of cooler weather and all my chores done, I'll be able to concentrate on writing. I won't feel guilty for falling into a different world when this one screams for attention. But until then, I'm in the strange between-books place.

What about you? What's going on with you?

Wishing you a peaceful day!

Mrs. Fix-It

I've got a date with a ceiling hole today so I'm going to dash. I hope you have a lovely Wednesday!

Whole Lotta Eatin'

The end of summer chores are mind-boggling here on the farm.

Always something to do.

And, always something pretty to appreciate.

The grapes are amazing.

Truly incredible!

More on that another time.

Now, I'm showing you what's been filling the kitchen.

Imagine some mouthwatering aromas, okay?

Applesauce. Apple butter. Apple pie filling.

And some random pickles!

Applesauce.

When we bought the farm, we planted a small orchard.

It's finally bearing bushels of fruit.

Fabulous!

The tomatoes keep coming.

The last of the blueberries became jam.
Yum!

Wishing you a peaceful day. Me? I'm going to get some writing done. Look at the hole where the bathroom fan and light should be. Maybe I'll figure that out. Or, I could just take a walk through the forest. It's a blustery day, the perfect time for forest walking.

Who am I kidding? Any day is a good one for a walk in the forest.

See you tomorrow.

Breathe...

Good Monday morning, friends. I hope you had a pleasant weekend. Mine? Interesting, but I'm not going to share. I'm just going to say that today I'm going to breathe. Enjoy the warm fall day. Go for a walk. Write. Bake something just for fun. And breathe. Yeah, lots of that.

One flower. So pretty, isn't it?

Stretching toward the sky.

I love it.

Now, don't you just wish your bathroom ceiling could look like this?

Short story?
A leak.
Crying.
Then, angry.
Hacksaw.
Chair.
Hole.

Yes, that is a kitchen towel stapled to the ceiling.
You know, I never thought I'd say that.
Live and learn.
And breathe.

I hope you have a peaceful Monday. As I said, I've got lots of plans. I'm going to ignore the ceiling today. It'll be there tomorrow. Today, just breathing. Peace. Relaxation. No ceiling holes or leaks.

See you tomorrow!

Checking In

Ah...so, it's Thursday already, isn't it? How did that happen?

First, thanks for all the kind emails. I didn't mean to worry anyone. Honestly, the days just got away from me. I'm fine. Just busy.

I've got a ton of farm stuff to square away before the cold weather hits in earnest. My to-do list is longer than my arm! I've been painting the deck, pulling out the veggie gardens and mowing. And mowing. And mowing!

And, the canning. Oy, the canning... Tomatoes and apples just won't quit. I'll be grateful come winter but now I'm just sick and tired of canning. Don't get me wrong--I'm grateful for the produce but I wish it would can itself.

Polishing the book up, tweaking it and making it ready to go out into the world. I really hope there's a way to read the pages from heaven. I really do.

So, that's it from here. Just muddling along, not really paying attention to the days but focusing instead on what's right in front of me. It is working but I'm sorry if I've worried anyone. I'm still here!

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Gorilla'd

Catching up around the farm after finishing one book but before falling into the next one is in full swing. I'm vacuuming--yay!--and doing a few odds and ends.

And today, just because I like you an awful lot, I'm going to share a tip. Really, a handy-woman's tip. Something I learned, something I think you might need to someday know, too.

See this? It's a product called Gorilla Glue. That's right. Gorilla Glue.

Now, if you're a petite woman like me, you might sometime need to repair something above your head. And, if you do, you'll hold the handy-dandy Gorilla Glue so the glue squirts out of the tip toward you because, hey, no one glues up, do they? Of course not. Glueing down, that's the ticket.

When you tackle this overhead glue repair project, you could possibly be wearing a favorite v-neck shirt. Green, maybe. Olive green, exactly. Perhaps.

So you're overhead glueing down toward your favorite olive green v-neck shirt, right? Do you see it? In your head, do you really see the whole thing?

Okay. Then, you can see how a blob of Gorilla Glue might splop (yes, that's a savvy glue word) down at you, into your shirt and onto your...ah, assets.

Let me spell it out for you.

If you're not careful with this Gorilla Glue stuff, you could glue your boob to the inside of your favorite shirt. And no, I'm not kidding.

Consider this one of those pay it forward things. And, be damn careful with that stupid glue, okay?

Have a peaceful day!

Sucking

I've assumed so many new hats here. It's just crazy. Some new jobs I'm getting down without too much trouble. Others? Oy...

Recently, the vacuum decided it wasn't going to operate correctly. So, I grabbed a screwdriver and took that sucker apart. Four times. Every time, I thought I had it fixed. Uh, no. Not quite. So, I took it apart the fifth time and thought for sure I'd figured it out.

I even told a dear friend, "It took me five times but I finally got it right! Yay!"

Yeah. Yippee.

Tried it out yesterday afternoon and it's true, the vacuum finally did suck. In fact, it sucked really well.

But it also spat.

That's right. There was sucking. And, there was spitting. Lots of it. Big, hairy, dusty spitting.

S&*%^t!!

Yes, I'm trying to keep the blog G-rated. In real life, I swore in four languages. Vividly. I'm pretty shocked none of you heard me, actually.

So, I took it apart for the sixth time. Yes. The sixth time.

You know how soldiers have to disassemble and reassemble their weapons against a stopwatch? I'm pretty sure I can do that with this vacuum.

The sixth time really was the charm. Now there's just sucking. No spitting. And, I'm happy.

My sweet man would've fixed the vacuum on the first try. I have no doubt whatsoever he could've done it in a snap. He could fix or build anything. Anything.

Thank God I hovered over his shoulder and can find my way around a toolbox. It took me much longer almost than my patience could stand, but I didn't give up. I admit, round number three almost saw the vacuum fly but...I restrained myself.

So pleased I've figured this out. And now that the book is done, I've got miles to put on that vacuum.

What's new in your world? Anything you'd care to share?

I wish you a peaceful day.

Help Wanted

Ho finito.

I'm finished.

Yes, it's true. I'm finished. The book is done and I'm tickled. Woo hoo!

What a journey this book has been. I wondered whether I'd be able to do it without my sweet man sitting within sight while I put fingers to keyboard. I won't lie; it wasn't easy. But I did it. And, I'm so glad. I have no doubt I had him here every step of the way. He's just, as my old friend Ray recently said, taken a seat with a better view. I love that thought.

Thanks for all your kindness and support. You can't imagine how many times your faith in me has kept me moving forward. You're all amazing!

So, now I'll catch up on life. There's a stack of unopened mail. A pile of packages the FedEx and UPS guys have left. I've hauled them inside but they are in a heap near the back door. The house? Oh, Lordy, the dust bunnies are huge. They could start a sorority and take over the place! Definitely time to get cracking on catching up. And, everyone who's left messages on the answering machine? You're on my to-do list, so hang on, okay?

First, I need to ask for help. Not easy for me to do, but I need a hand. Or maybe two. More specifically, I need eyes. I'd like a set of eyes to give the first few chapters a read through, just to maybe catch anything I've missed. If you think you might be willing to do this, I'd sincerely appreciate the help. Just email me and I'll contact you with the details. Thank you!

Now, off to tackle the mail. And the dust bunnies. And, maybe, to make some cookies for a very special person.

What about you? What's on your to-do list?

Wishing you a peaceful Tuesday!