Lately, I feel as though I'm spinning my wheels, stuck in knee-high mud. My writing muse took an extended vacation, the MS fatigue has been awful, and most recently I lost a dear friend.
I've known Jim Abell (aka Dr. Jeffrey King) for 35 yrs. This is the first person close to me in my adult life I've lost. I phoned his office on Good Friday to see how he was and wish him a Happy Easter. The receptionist said he no longer owned the office and when I asked how to reach him the words, "I'm sorry, but Dr. King died last month," hit me like a sharp dagger to the heart. I sobbed...and when I thought there could be no more tears, they flowed again. Suddenly I thought of how Mary must have felt when witnessing her son's death. Now, I feel empty and numb, and interestingly enough, I keep finding things that Jim has sent me over the years...dinosaur puzzles for the boys back in 1996, Australia T-shirts for the boys, a paper weight, a lovely book that sits with my Indie author signed copies. I know in time those memories will warm my heart more than hurt, but right now the sting is pretty severe.
Today my Facebook account was compromised. I received several text messages to my phone, personal messages, and emails online notifying me of the invite to the phony page. Thank you friends for the heads up about all of this. As soon as a few of you reported the problem as spam the page disappeared. I also learned a credit card had been compromised in December. The offender tried to purchase things at Macy's in Texas...of all things. So I hope I've resolved both of those problems.
ON TO THE GOOD STUFF
I found an incredible brownie recipe for one that is so delicious.
1/4 C gluten free flour, 1/4 C raw organic sugar, 2 Tbsp cocoa, pinch of salt. Mix dry ingredients thoroughly and add 2 Tbsp canola oil and 1/4 C water. Mix until smooth and microwave for 1 min. 40 sec. and voila...a brownie to die for You can use regular flour and granulated sugar instead of gluten free and organic.
CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Wendy Swindoll, the March winner of the Romance with a Touch of Grace newsletter contest. Wendy won the beautiful faux emerald choker. If you haven't signed up for the newsletter, please do so by completing the form on the homepage here on my website. It's too late for the April Contest, but not for May, so if you're interested in following the antics of Acorn Hills and the new Diva to the Guides collection, sign up. Each month there will be a winner!
FROM THE WRITING CAVE
I've completed the super secret project and I'm delighted with how it has come together. Some wonderful surprises are in store and the cover is incredibly beautiful! Excited to share it with you all, but cannot do that just yet.
ETHEREAL AUTHORITY, the 2nd short story in the Diva series, is going well. The outline is complete, now to just put those thoughts in chapter form. I think you will love Charisse Carrington's and Mark Seymour's story. It will release later this year.
Richard Dempsey has been conversing with me lately, too. Be warned, Richard has some surprises up his sleeve as well. He's a troubled man seeking answers and someone from his past just may be the key to setting his future free. RICHARD'S RELICS, book 5 of The Acorn Hills series is scheduled to release in November.
AUTHOR SIGNINGS IN THE AREA
If any of you local friends are free on Monday, April 13th from 1-7 pm come by and say hello at Marengo Memorial Hospital. They are hosting a Spring Fling and grand opening of their new mammography unit. I will have copies of A Soul's Kiss for sale and to sign. You can also order any of the Acorn Hills books at this time.
Remember, dear ones, and you're going to get tired of my reminders I'm sure...remember to love with all of who you are, embrace life as if it ends a second from now, dance with the music as often as you can, and breathe deeply and exhale the negative. Don't waste your energy on what you can't control, on negativity, on worry....willingly give your energy by smiling and walking with those on your path.
Until next time...
Love you all to bits,