Happy Friday! I didn’t have a Friday Free For All post last week, as I had a book promo instead. So, this is a catch-up post. Also, I have a wrap-up post today about including metaphysical elements in fiction writing at Story Empire. Come on over!
I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with my family. The kids all played so well together, and the food was delicious, so it was a great time. This is a photo of me, my two daughters, and my bonus daughter, whom we hadn’t seen in two years.
I received my first order of Black Rifle coffee, and I am very pleased with it. The three I have tried are all rich, smooth, and not bitter at all. I will be ordering from them again. I love that the company is veteran-owned and that it helps support veterans. That makes it a win-win. So, thank you to everyone who suggested Black Rifle! It’s good.
That being said, are any of you familiar with mushroom coffee? I tried some MudWater earlier in the year and didn’t care for it. Then I bought one bag of RYZE to try out on a Black Friday special. It is definitely more pleasing to the palate than the MudWater, but I’m almost certain nothing will ever replace coffee in my life.
My new book, The Edge of Too Late, is on a blog tour with Lone Star Literary Life. I’d love it if you’d join in! I am so happy with the way the entire Harbor Pointe Series has been received, and I love seeing reviews roll in. If you want to join in on the blog tour and enter to win some great prizes, here’s the link: LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE BLOG TOUR
Have you been feeling stuck, stressed, or maybe even a little despondent? Studies show this is common during the holiday months. The holidays are often a time of high emotion and demands, which can leave us feeling stressed and exhausted. Not only that, but the year is coming to an end, and often, it’s a time we pause to review what we accomplished or didn’t accomplish. For me, the accomplishments are a little on the lean side. I only released one book this year. Sales across the board are dismal regardless of how much marketing I do. I find myself questioning what I’m doing. Am I fulfilling my purpose in life? Or am I simply running in circles and going nowhere? Do you also find yourself questioning, or is it just me?
On another side of the reflection coin, I have to be honest and say that even after almost 15 years, I still miss my husband so much, and that feeling of loss is amplified this time of year. He loved the holidays so much and always went crazy with decorating inside and out. Now that I live in a small apartment, I hardly decorate at all, so I settle for enjoying my daughters’ decorations. But no matter how busy I stay or how involved I am in my family’s lives, I still find tears coming in those quiet still moments. Even though I knew him for 40 years and we were married for 25, it all ended way too fast. Yet, I don’t want to wallow in melancholy, so I suit up and show up every day for myself and everyone else. If you are fortunate enough to still have your partner, don’t forget to let them know how much you love them.
Here’s a bit of wisdom from Dr. Seuss.
That’s all for today. I wish you a wonderful weekend ahead. Take care and remember to breathe.