writing

May I?

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As I mengtioned on Thursday, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. There’s also May Day, and May the Fourth, and Cinco de Mayo. Plus college graduations, Memorial Day, and the “official” start of summer.

Today is three spcial days that should be acknowleged and observed, each with their own reverences.

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World Book Day

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On this World Book Day, I have three that I want to highly recommend to you:

  • The Writer: A Thriller by J.D. Barker and James Patterson
    This is not generally a book that I would gravitate towards. I don’t know if someone mentioned it to me or if I saw it online. As a writer, I was drawn to the title, although put off by the idea of a thriller – those aren’t really my thing, but I read this, and despite the cliché on the cover – you’ll never forget the ending – I read it, twisted and turned along with the characters, and the ending, well, let’s just say I will never forget it. In fact, I had to read the last two pages twice – it was that unexpected!
  • The Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
    I was drawn to this by the talented Georgia Tennant who narrates the audiobook. I listened to a sample, and I was hooked on the story! I have just begun reading it and will eventually listen to the audio version. What happens when serial killers get married and have a child? This is your answer. Brilliant concept, very engaging, and I anticipate fun.
  • The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny
    I read this when it came out last fall, and I am now listening to the audiobook narrated by Jean Brassard. I love his voice, and he really brings out the Quebecois culture and accent which is a large part of the Armand Gamache series. Read the first eighteen books first if you can – this newest book has several call backs and old favorites who return. The next book, The Black Wolf, comes out in October of this year.

What three books would you receommend for this World Book Day?

Inspired & Inspiring – Writing Retreat Reflection

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This weekend I went on a much anticipated writing retreat with three writing colleagues. We have been meeting every two weeks for the past year, and the amount of feedback, suggestions, and camaraderie we’ve each received has been a glorious blessing.

We each had our own private bedroom as we shared other accommodations and a small conference room for meeting together and writing.

We interspersed our own writing with writing prompts and exercises to jump start our creativity and we enjoyed snacks, candy, and company and remarkably we each got quite a lot done on our individual projects.

As the “host” I had several goodies planned and I just loved both aspects of hosting and of participating.

The shared space worked out amazingly well, and we have tentatively scheduled another retreat in the fall.

Moving forward from this weekend, I have some goals set that need to be formally set down with specific timelines:

• Sample Book Cover
• Book Title Ideas
• Chapter Headers (each chapter needs):
          – Titles
          – Picture, sketch, or quotation
          – Fictional narrative of this aspect of Kateri’s life, especially related to the shrines
• Timeline both of the formal governments & of Kateri’s life
• Questions to be answered

I’m looking forward to the rest of the week, planning, meeting again on Zoom, and focusing on the direction of my book.

Happy Writing to All of Us!

Caption for Photo Collage above:

  1. Our reserved dining table for the weekend
  2. A beautiful necklace one of my colleagues gave me
  3. Protest sign created for April 5th Hands Off protest that three of our group went to
  4. Chocolate chip scone & cup of hot, black tea with milk
  5. Our conference room where we met, laughed, read, and wrote

Writing Retreat Prep

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I should have had this written & posted hours ago, but you know how it is:

  • Slept in
  • Needed breakfast
  • Someone was wrong on the internet
  • Took a shower
  • Packed my retreat stuff
  • Someone was wrong on the internet
  • Ate a quick lunch

But I’ve finally arrived, rooms are setup. Anticipation is doing its thing!

A Prompt for You

What would make it a perfect writing retreat for you?

What are your goals?

What is your packing list?

What is your go-to motivational thing?

Have a great & productive weekend!❤

February Inspired & Friday Food

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My  new favorite drink at Starbucks is also my new inspiration. When Starbucks got rid of the Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher (that I adapted to my own tastes with customization) I was so sad. How would I ever go on? I tried their new berry drinks as they came along: the Summer-Berry Refresher and the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, and they were both good.

(c)2025

When this new one came out last week or so, I thought, okay, let’s give it a try. Well, folks, it is all I’ve been drinking when I go out for a drink.

It’s delicious, and I think it surpasses the Hibiscus one that I enjoyed for so long.

Pictured is the new Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher. The only change I make is “light ice” so it doesn’t water down as I leisurely drink it.

No, Starbucks doesn’t pay me (they really should); I just love this drink and want to share it.

Have a great week in whatever way you are spending it.

A New Year of Inspireds

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We haven’t gotten through the first week of January, and our potential is still out there. Still within us, ready to break forth. Our ambition. Our motivation. Our inspiration. How will we keep it at the forefront in the coming months?

I’ll share five ways that I plan on being inspired this year.

round button colored green with three sentences: 1. Ankose 2. Everything is connected 3. Tout est relie
  1. Remember that everything *is* connected, and look at the world that way. How is what I’m doing affecting the people and spaces around me? Be aware. Be present. And sometimes, be still.
  2. Setting Intentions. I have a great new planner for the year and it has space for weekly and monthly planning/goals/ progression, and I’m hoping to stick with it all year.
  3. My writing group and their encouragement, their feedback, their continuing friendship.
  4. Taking what I need and leaving the rest. Good advice in any situation and hopefully will maintain lower stress even as the world becomes more stressful.
  5. Carry an umbrella, bring a sweater or hoodie, tuck a notebook and a pen in a bag, and go. Go forward. And take notes.
Inspired. (c)2025
Intentionality. (c)2025
Inclusivity. (c)2025
Interconnectedness. (c)2025

My four words for the beginning of the year. They may stay all year; they may transform; they may be added to or replaced. And that will be okay because it will be what I need at that moment. Follow along and let’s see how it goes.

Inspired. Intentionality. Inclusivity. Interconnectedness. 2025.

End of Year Wrap Up

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In some ways, saying goodbye to 2024 is bittersweet. It is both a relief and a sadness. I’m still wearing my Harns/Walz bracelets and yearn for what might have been. Nothing was going to be perfect, but I have no doubt that it would have been better.

I spent yesterday looking back at this website, traveling from December all the way back to January to find which posts stood out to me. some were great; Some were not so great, but they all propelled my writing forward. A few of my favorites are linked below for you to also look back on. Tomorrow, I’ll begin with my intentions and actual resolutions for the New Year.

After 25 or so years home with my kids, I now have a job outside the house that I truly love. I never expected this to happen, and I’m so glad that the time was right, both for me and the place.

I have a good path forward for my book. I’m organizing the research and the photos, and I will also be presenting a program in the summer on St. Kateri’s Journey and her life.

A Look Back:

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