Good Friday morning. I have a lot to share today, but I’ll keep it brief. First off, I hope everyone is doing well. It seems that everyone I know is fighting some sort of battle, as am I. I think it’s called LIFE.
As you are all aware, I’ve been embroiled in two large battles, the first being this blog site. Because of all the issues I was having on my jansikesblog site, I made the executive decision to migrate it over here into my website. Little did I know what all would be involved, but I soon found out. Migrating the content was easy. WordPress has a plugin for that. It brought over all my old posts, the media AND comments. What it was unable to bring over was my subscribers. After contacting WP, my hosting support and paying money to someone to manually enter the subscribers, I still only have a handful. While I didn’t want to lose anyone, I finally threw up my hands. I’ve been around long enough and been blogging enough I have to trust those who are interested will find me. On the good side, everything appears to be up and working, and for that I am grateful. Thank you all for being here!
I went with my daughter and grandson to Lubbock, Texas for him to tour the Texas Tech campus on February 16th. It was an adventure for sure (like getting within one mile of running out of gas) and I got to visit my sister. But Ryan was sick and I came home sick. Today is the first day I can honestly say I am feeling close to normal. The doctors tested him for everything and he came up negative. On the third day in, I took an outdated home COVID test and it showed positive. Who knows? Whatever name needs to be assigned to it, this is the sickest I’ve been in three years and it’s taking its time moving on. Today is better.
Yesterday was my oldest daughter’s birthday. Not only was she born on leap year, but came into this world feet first and is the most solid grounded person in our family. On top of that, she’s beautiful. We will celebrate both her and my grandson this weekend as he turns 18 tomorrow. This is a recent photo of me and Deva.
She’s spent her entire life correcting the pronunciation of her name. Most call her either Diva or Debra. It’s pronounced like Kevin.
A Beggar’s Bargain is getting closer to launch! I’m busy preparing for two separate blog tours, PLUS, the book tour in Missouri. See? I didn’t have time to mess around with any sickness nonsense. 🙂 If you’ve pre-ordered, THANK YOU!! If you haven’t, I’d be honored if you would. Here’s a short teaser:
Every single day since Layken Martin had returned home after his discharge from the Army, he’d prayed for a miracle.
But none came.
He stood in the pasture next to the old farmhouse and scooped up a handful of dry Missouri dirt, then let it trickle through his fingers, as sweat ran down the middle of his back. Squinting against the blistering July sun, the sky gave nary a sign of a cloud that might bring relief to the dried, cracked ground that hadn’t produced a decent crop in two years.
The struggle to make anything grow in the middle of a drought, only to have it taken over by weeds, had killed his father’s spirit and, finally, his body.
If you’re anywhere near the Greenfield/Everton/Lockwood/Springfield, Missouri area, take a look at the book tour itinerary on my website home page.
On the reading front, I’ve read some really good books for Lone Star Literary blog tours. I posted The Knotted Ring recently (so good!) and will be posting two more next week. I always give my honest opinion and one of these books wouldn’t let me find a stopping place. I read it in one setting. Also, I’ve been slowly working my way through Author Erika Kind‘s book, 365 Thoughts of Healing and Everyday Inspiration for the Soul. It’s the kind of book you can read a little each day, and it’s uplifting and inspiring.
I am anxiously awaiting Mae Clair’s new book to land on my Kindle! I know I am in for a reading treat! Have you got your copy yet?
The Keeping Place – Purchase Link
I’ll stop here and wish you all a super great weekend! Even amidst the trials life throws our way, we have much to be grateful for. Please treat each other with kindness and if you are the praying kind, send up a prayer for those suffering. Together, we can lift the world.
HI Jan, I am sorry you got sick on your trip. Nearly running out of gas is also a bit scary. I always fill up at the quarter full mark. Your daughter is beautiful. I hope she had a great birthday.
Thank you, Robbie. Yes, nearly running out of gas was a bit scary considering we were out in the middle of nowhere. And yes, Deva had a great birthday!
I thought that was the case i.e. middle of nowhere. It all worked out so that was okay.
Yes, it did and we had an adventure. 🙂
Happy birthday to your daughter and grandson, Jan. What a beautiful picture of you two! Glad you are feeling better and look forward to your upcoming release! Xo
Thank you for the kind words and wishes, Denise. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
You came up in my notifications without a problem, Jan. So it seems that things are working with your new site. And I’m glad you hear you’re finally starting to feel better. Phew! Covid can really knock us for a loop. And Happy Belated Birthday to your beautiful daughter and your grandson. 🙂 I’m impatiently waiting for your book!
That is great to hear, Diana. So glad the post showed up in your notifications. I’ll work with it and hopefully build back up a following. You are right about COVID knocking us for a loop. I still have a lingering cough, but other than that, feeling pretty good. Thanks for the birthday wishes. We had a weekend filled with celebrations! I’m impatiently waiting, too. 🙂 Thank you so much!
I don’t know whether to cheer or cry. Congratulations for the happy stuff, and take care of yourself. The blog world will find you again. You’re too good to miss.
I’m right there with you, Craig. I’ve already cried, so I’ll go for a cheer. Thanks for stopping by and we’ll see how it all goes.
Happy birthday to your grandson, Jan – and your daughter is beautiful! Sorry WP didn’t carry over your subscribers, but you’re right – folks will find you again. Have a great weekend – glad you’re feeling a little better.
Thank you, Teri. Yes, I am so over the whole move debacle. I’m cutting my losses and moving on. Have a great weekend!
I was wondering if all those horrid blog problems had worked out. I agree with you–people will find you again. Me, I have 26,000 subscribers but suspect a goodly percent of those are inactive or wouldn’t miss me. Still, to go through that list and pinpoint those I recognize would be daunting. You made a good decision!
The blog problems are as worked out as they are going to get for now. I’ve done all I can and my focus has to shift to launching A Beggar’s Bargain. Wow! 26,000 subscribers is amazing, Jacqui. I don’t know how you did it, but kudos to you. I had a mere 737 and now have 39. 🙁 But it is what it is. Moving on. Thanks for stopping by!
Wonderful post, Jan. Even with all the challenges, you’re publishing and moving forward. Bravo! I’m looking forward to reading A Beggar’s Bargain and The Keeping Place. 😊
Lol, Gwen. I keep showing up and suiting up. It’s all I know to do. All my focus has to go to launching A Beggar’s Bargain at this point. Any other lingering blog issues will have to be addressed later. Thank you for stopping by! Hugs and happy weekend!
Thank you, Grant. Yes, Lone Star Literary is such an awesome supporter. I appreciate the write-up.
Kudos on your latest book, Jan. I’m looking forward to reading A Beggar’s Bargain. Also, nice write up in the latest Lone Star Literary.