Hello, friends. April is starting out to be true to its reputation. We’ve had several days of rain and the trees are super happy! It’s been another week of ups and downs. But that’s life, right?
This will be my last meandering for a while, as I go in for surgery next Monday. I will check in when I feel up to it. I appreciate all good wishes, prayers and anything else positive you can send my way.
One thing I accomplished this week was to get all of my legal paperwork in order prior to the surgery. Thank goodness for great neighbors. Two of the ladies who live in my apartment complex went with me to the notary to serve as witnesses and then I bought them lunch. We had a nice outing.
But the craziest thing happened. When I got out of my car at the UPS store for their notary services, I found a soggy five dollar bill laying on the concrete. I was astounded. I’ve found pennies, dimes and even quarters, but never any paper money. There was absolutely no one around to ask if they might have dropped it, so I accepted the small gift from the Universe and went on about my business. Now, that burden is off my shoulders. It’s all taken care of. Then I ordered a fireproof box to store the papers in. So, I’m set and hopefully it will make things easier for my girls when I leave this body. Not that I’m planning on going anytime soon, but nothing is guaranteed. Still, it’s good to take care of those things.
And as always in life, there is good, bad and sometimes horrible. A person I’d known for many years turned out to be someone I truly didn’t know and has committed some horrendous criminal acts. It was hurtful. I felt betrayed. But I worked through it, found peace and released all of it. I’m all about moving onward and upward, never backward.
Also, when I got my fireproof box, I went through some other legal papers I’d been holding onto since Rick’s death and disposed of them. I do not need any of it. It’s all water under the bridge. It felt good to purge!
Do you ever wonder why you hold onto things you don’t need? It’s just easier to ignore it. Out of sight-out of mind.
I made more progress on my new story! I won’t bore you with an excerpt today, but I’m in the wrap-up and thinking about a cover. I got excited abut the story again. Does that ever happen to you in the middle of your work? I’m happy to feel that rush of energy when I open it to add new words! I don’t have a publication date yet as there is sill lots of work to do, but hoping for June or July.
In the meantime, take a look at the beginnings of a blurb. All feedback welcome!
A Young Man With the Heart of a Wolf
Eighteen-year-old Jack Barlow Blaine is driven by unwavering compassion and a thirst for knowledge. Born into poverty and haunted by a violent past, he’s determined to escape his history by helping others—whether human or animal, no matter the cost.
But when Jack discovers an elderly woman in crisis, he’s faced with a choice that challenges everything he thinks he knows about living and dying. Yet, the bargain she offers promises a better future, if the price isn’t higher than what he’s capable of paying.
As Jack grapples with his decision, he must summon the courage to honor their bargain.
How far is he willing to go to keep his word?
The greatest acts of kindness are the ones that demand the most from us—and every decision can unlock destiny’s doors.
This image AND the quote really touched me. It’s truth!
The tarot card that popped out seems appropriate for the entire mood of this post, and for the days ahead.
This card requires no explanation, but I’ll expound on it. The keywords are: Overcoming obstacles and Endurance.
We are all stronger than we know. Life is full of challenges, but you can trust yourself to handle just about any situation that arises. Let the Infinity Symbol remind you that you are capable of overcoming struggles, both internally and externally. Be present with any fears that may crop up and move forward with courage even when your confidence wavers.
That’s it from me. I’ll be back with you when I can.
I hope you all have good productive days ahead!
Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery and a quick recovery. Finding the five dollar bill is a good sign I think. Here’s a story for you: I found 100 dollar bill near a construction site. I thought perhaps it belonged to one of the workers. So I took it to the foreman who had a temporary office in a trailer. He was impressed I brought it to him. He said, “Leave it with me. If anyone mentions they lost $100 I’ll pass it on but come back in a week and if no one says anything, you can have it.” I came back a week later and he cheerfully handed it back to me. He said he wished everyone was as honest. I bought a fabulous pair of comfortable walking shoes with the money. I wore them for over five years.
It’s good to get those legal papers in order, Jan. We did the same thing because being prepared is the best we can do for our children and family, especially storing them in a fireproof box nowadays. I hope your surgery goes smoothly with a speedy recovery, and I know you’ll find the strength, the perfect card. Your excerpt is captivating and I’m happy that you’re making good progress. Wishing you all the best! ❤️
How wonderful to get your affairs in order and make it easier for your kids. I did that several years ago and I’m so grateful that I had the presence of mind to do it. Love the Strength card! Boy, do we need that. Best of luck with your surgery, Sister. I’ll hold you tight in my heart. Much love.
You got this! Angels attend. <3
Hi Jan, wishing you all the very best with your procedures. The immediate aftermath is not easy but it gets better so stay positive. I hope you have someone to help you when you leave the hospital.
Sending all the positive juju I can to you. The blurb makes me think it’s a wolfman story. (Sorry)
The blurb is captivating. As upsetting as it is, getting the legal paperwork done is the right thing to do, Jan. I hope your surgery goes well and the results are good. 💖🙏
Good luck with your surgery! I hope you recover soon.
Sending positive vibes your way for the surgery, Jan! Always good to take care of the legal stuff and be prepared. The tarot card is perfect for this week.
Best of luck with your surgery! I love the Strength card. It’s especially needed during these crazy, uncertain times.
Thanks for your report. I must say I have had a be of surgeries but have always stayed positive.
The universe is working in such wonderful mysterious and magical ways, it is amazing. I am happy your found this sign in the shape of 5-dollar note. I like getting rid of things I don’t need anymore. It feels liberating! I am sorry about seeing the real face of someone you thought you knew. Those discoveries can be so sade and deeply disappointing. The card fits my daughter’s situation so well. Last year was a tough year for her both work and private. But it seemed she found that door that opened up for her. With lots of appreciatin at her job and a new love by her side she told us last weekend that we are going to be first-time-grandparents 😍
Good idea to get the legal stuff done, Jan. I procrastinate with that. Praying your procedure goes well, with a speedy recovery. Sending hugs xo
Thank you, Denise! I appreciate the thoughts and prayers.
Wishing you a smooth sailing through your surgery Jan and a speedy recovery. The tarot card is saying it for you – time to show your strength that lies dormant till we require it. Sending a big hug to stir that strength. 🤗
I wish you all the best with your surgery, Jan. I hope all goes well. It is sad to discover dark things about people that we thought we knew. Getting the legal paperwork out of the way is a good thing, as well.
Thanks so much, John!! And a million thanks for your suggestions!
Being able to let go is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves. Remembering but not dwelling on the negative is a much better mindset.
So true, Pete. Letting go is freeing for sure! Thanks for stopping by!
Good luck and best wishes.
Thank you!
You did everything you could to prepare, Jan. Now it’s in the Universe’s hands. I will think of you. And that blurb–I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Jacqui! So glad the blurb appeals!
I will keep you in my prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Have a wonderful week!
I deeply appreciate that, Joy!
I pray the surgery goes well and you recover quickly! The book description is great except I’d get rid of “yet” in the second para. It starts a second sentence in a row with a contrary conjunction, drawing too much attention to itself. Besides, the sentence reads fine without “yet.”
Thank you SO much for your feedback, Priscilla! You are so right and that’s why I love having more eyes on my work because I didn’t see that. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!
I created all those legal papers back when I gave birth to my son and updated them when I got divorced. Now that he’s an adult, I plan to update them again this summer. It’s so important for everyone to have those plans already decided to unburden the family that is left behind. I’m happy you got rid of those papers/items that no longer serve you. I am a true believer that those things clutter the soul, even if we do not always see them. That is why I go through my stuff every year and purge what I no longer need. Good luck on your surgery, Jan! Sending healing energy your way for your recovery…
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
You are so right, Yvette. It’s good to have these things in place to make it easier on everyone when we do exit this body. Sounds like you have a wonderful and steady method to keep the clutter down. Thanks for the healing energy. I accept it with open arms!!