MONDAY MEANDERINGS #17

Hello, friends. I’m happy to be back with a new post this week and have lots to share. So grab a second cup of coffee or tea and settle in. 🙂 Just kidding. I won’t bore you with endless details.

I could almost hear the water trickling over the rocks when I found this image.

First off, on the health front, I had a follow-up consult with the surgeon this past week and she is pleased with how my recovery is going. Honestly, I feel pretty much back to myself except that I get tired more easily. She said four more weeks of restrictions and I should be good to go. I am so grateful!

When I left you, I was going to attend a wedding in Austin, which I did. It was such a beautiful event, and sharing it with my daughters and four of the grands was wonderful. My son-in-law did the driving, so I sat in the backseat and watched Shrek with the granddaughters. 🙂 Here are a couple of photos.

First photo on the left, me and four of the Grands. Middle photo, me and my two daughters. Last photo, the Bride and Groom!

I have to tell you, on our way back out of Austin, I passed a sign that pointed off to a righthand exit that read Lakeway! If you follow John Howell’s blog, you know that’s where he calls home. It’s a real place. 🙂

Besides the wedding, with this being the last week of school, there are lots of “lasts” with the grandkids’ school activities. My youngest grandson is graduating from elementary school this evening. Moving on into middle school, as is the youngest granddaughter. My oldest grandson completed his first year at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has landed a summer job at the university doing some sort of research that goes way beyond my comprehension. Time certainly has a way of marching on, with or without us!

On the writing front, I finished my final read-through of A Bold Bargain and sent it off to the editor. I’m still waiting on a cover, but getting close. I haven’t set a publish date yet, and not rushing it. This book is so different from anything else I’ve written and it is the final book in The Bargainer Series. However, if the planets align just right, it could spawn a series of novellas based around the setting where this story takes place.

I read a LOT of books during my downtime following the surgery and if you missed my reviews, you can find them HERE and HERE!

I have two guests visiting soon. The first is on Wednesday May 21st, so stay tuned.

D.L. Finn wrote a blog post for Story Empire with inspiring quotes, one of which I am stealing today. 🙂 If you missed her post, take a look! AUTHOR QUOTES & QUIZ

This quote spoke to me in a big way!

The Tarot card that came up for the week is one I know I’ve shared before, but sharing again.

When I see this card, the first word that pops into my mind is ‘contemplation.’ This card indicates choices regarding future plans. A choice to expand your world awaits. Do you stay with what you know or choose an unknown adventure? This card also reminds us of the virtue of patience. And, C.S. Boyack, I never noticed the roses on this card before now. Interesting, since I just finished reading Run For The Roses. 🙂

At any rate, I definitely relate to this card and will be spending time in contemplation while looking at all the different choices regarding multiple aspects of my life.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you each have a great week ahead! No matter what, remember to stay positive!

  • Comment (42)
  • Hi Jan, the wedding looks lovely and your photographs are beautiful. Thanks for this update. I will go and read your post for Craig’s new book now.

    • Thanks, Robbie. I appreciate you stopping by. Sorry about the mix-up on Craig’s new book post. I messed the date up and it will be on Wednesday. 🙂 Hope you can visit then.

  • Darlene says:

    So glad you are feeling better, Jan. The photos with you and your family are fabulous. Imagine driving by a sign pointing to Lakeway! Have a super week.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thank you, Darlene. Yes! I had to smile when I saw the sign for Lakeway. With John Howell’s sense of humor, you never know if it’s real. But it is.

  • I’m happy you had a great time at the wedding, Jan! My patience is definitely being tested with home renovations, so that’s my connection with the Tarot card this week. Lol! I know it will be worth it in the end, but the ‘during’ part sucks. Lol!

    Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
    http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thanks for stopping by, Yvette. I certainly understand about the renovations. They can test anyone’s patience, especially when you like order. Hope it’s over soon. In the meantime maybe the lesson for you in this is patience. Hugs! 💕

  • jowensauthor says:

    I’m glad you are recovering well. I love the Wordsworth quote also. The tarot reading is interesting and I will have to see how it plays out.

  • You’ve certainly been busy. I see the roses and noticed he had to bolt one wand to the wall. There is an opportunity for an off color wand remark, but I will refrain.

  • Teri Polen says:

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time with family, Jan. I’d also have enjoyed watching Shrek with the grands – that movie still cracks me up.

    • Yep. It was fun to watch Shrek again, Teri. 🙂 That is one of the many joys of being a grandparent. I get to see all the great kid movies. Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week ahead!

  • What a love-filled week. It sounds excellent.

  • I love you photos, Jan. It sounds like you had a great time at the wedding.🩷🌸

  • petespringerauthor says:

    Great photos of you and your family, Jan. I can relate to lots of “lasts.” My last class will be graduating from high school soon. Everything that people said about time seemingly going faster the older we get has been true for me. Yet, there are also still plenty of firsts. Our grandson just celebrated his first birthday on Saturday. My main motivation for exercising when I’m not feeling like it is wanting to be around for all his firsts.

    Ha to Lakeway being a real place. It would have been funny if you would have got a photo of John’s dogs.

    I’m happy for you regarding your health progress and the developments on your next book.

    • You are so right, Pete. While there are lots of ‘lasts’ there are also lots of ‘firsts’ and that’s what keeps the cycle going. 🙂 How exciting to celebrate the grandson’s first birthday. Wow! That year sure flew by, didn’t it? Thanks for stopping by. Yes. It would have been fun to have made a detour to Lakeway, but I wasn’t driving. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week ahead.

  • Going to the wedding must have been wonderful, Jan. The pictures are sure nice. Seeing Lakeway would be good, especially if you could see John there. Have a great week.

  • quantumkindy says:

    These photos are beautiful! Thanks for sharing

  • So glad you are getting back to your normal self, Jan. The wedding photos look fabulous. You all look so happy. When it is time to publish your book, please keep me in mind for a tour stop. Thanks for the mention.

  • Wonderful that you are making a speedy recovery Jan and the body knows best and rest is a must… the wedding looks amazing and a lovely family get together. Looking forward to the next book in the series. ♥

  • Joy York says:

    The pictures are beautiful. So glad you are feeling better and were able to share a lovely wedding with your family! Can’t wait for your new book!

  • Those are lovely pictures, Jan. Thanks for sharing. I am glad that you have recovered well, your picture shows it beautifully. All the best for your latest book.

  • You keep getting better and better healthwise, Sister. The wedding pictures are so beautiful. You all were wearing your Sunday best. 🙂 Sarah was a gorgeous bride. The Tarot card is interesting but since I’m in the middle of a story, I don’t think it was meant for me. Love you, Sister.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thank you for stopping by, Sister. Yes, I am getting more and more back to normal and I am grateful. I loved getting to be at the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony. You may see something later in the week that fits the contemplation card. 💕

  • Dan Antion says:

    I’m glad to hear your recovery is going well. The photos are wonderful.

    I like it when a book, it’s characters and setting wants you to continue telling their story.

    That is a beautiful quote. I hope you have a great week.

  • D.L. Finn, Author says:

    Beautiful family shots, Jan. So happy to hear you are healing up well! Contemplating sounds about right now, good card. Thanks for sharing that that quote, it spoke to me too! Xo

  • I’m glad you’re follow-up went well, Jan. Keep up the good work. Congrats on getting your book off to the editor, and the cover… I’ll bet you’re on pins and needles. So exciting. The wedding looks beautiful and it seems that summer is on its way. I appreciated the tarot card too. Lots of contemplation and patience seems in order these days. 🙂 Have a great week!

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thank you, Diana. I am definitely getting anxious to see a cover. Glad you enjoyed the post and yes, much contemplation about a good many things right now. I appreciate your comment.

  • Glad you’re healing is going well, and that you’ve been busy with family and creativity!

  • Pat Spencer says:

    Great photos. Glad to hear you are recovering nicely!

  • scoxauthor says:

    Don’t you and your daughters look lovely. So glad you are on the mend.
    Take special care.
    Sandra

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