Monday Meanderings #24

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It’s hot in Texas with ‘feel-like’ temperatures over 100 every day. But we expect it in August. Sometimes I think about my mom being pregnant with me in August of 1951 and how hot it must have been in New Mexico. And of course, they had no such thing as air conditioning. We are spoiled!! That being said, it’s my birthday week!

They are saying we might get a slight cool down and chance of rain later in the week. Cool down as in 90 instead of 100. 🙂 But we’ll take it.

As you all know, my sister and I launched our blog tour with “Cade’s Quest” and “A Bold Bargain.” Darlene Foster hosted our first stop. If you missed it, you can take a look HERE.

I will be posting each stop here for you to follow along, if you wish. We had so much fun answering questions and revealing things about ourselves you may not have known. 🙂 We are both so thrilled with the early numbers, thanks to everyone who purchased these books already!

I am SO grateful for all the early reviews that are showing up for “A Bold Bargain!”

On a side note, I have one more thing to share with you about Hawaii. 🙂 I totally forgot about this day when I shared my Aloha Recap. Perhaps I blocked it out. Remember when I said I was apprehensive about trying snorkeling? Yeah, well let’s just say it was an epic fail with a happy ending. This is the boat that took us out. I LOVED the boat ride! Dolphins swam along with us and played in the wake providing entertainment!

It took an hour to get to our designated spot. They offered a five minute instruction course, then literally dumped everyone off in the ocean after suiting us up with snorkeling gear and putting a belt around our waist to serve as a life jacket. You’ll be proud of me. I put it all on and got into the water and that’s where things went sideways. I panicked and froze. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t put my face in the water. My granddaughter kept swimming by saying, “Mimi, just tilt your head.” Yep. I understood the concept, but I couldn’t do it. Eventually, my daughter helped me back to the boat and I took off the snorkeling gear. The young man on the boat gave me an inner tube and asked if I wanted a viewing box? I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I’d seen a couple of others holding what looked like a plexiglass box down into the water. So, I said yes, and then I was able to comfortably be in the water and look down. The coral was beautiful. Part of it looked like big bunches of broccoli. And the fish were so colorful swimming all around us. So, even though I failed at actually snorkeling, at least I did get to enjoy viewing, just in a different way. So, all’s well that ends well.

The grandkids are all back in school. I swear it starts earlier every year. My oldest granddaughter started high school, which blows my mind. The youngest granddaughter and youngest grandson started middle school and the middle grandson started his sophomore year in high school. The college grandkid hasn’t started back to school yet, but has moved into his dorm room for the year and he says he loves it. Because he is an RA, he gets a private room. I’m just amazed at how fast time flies by, but we say that all the time, don’t we?

I attended a book festival in Greenville, Texas on Saturday. Thank goodness, it was indoors!

This was the first year in a new location for this book fest and traffic was slow. It wasn’t a complete bust for me, but it came close. Still, I enjoyed visiting with other authors and seeing old friends. Could it be that book festivals are dead in the water? Honestly, if authors can participate in events with other crafts and vendors, the chances of selling a book are better. But straight book festivals no longer seem to attract readers. That being said, I will be in McKinney, Texas next weekend for a two day event. Fingers crossed that it yields better results.

On the way home, I felt discouraged. I had the radio on and a song came on with the lyrics, “You’ve got to keep on keeping on, push it on down the line…” I said out loud, “Okay, Universe, Fine, I get it.” 🙂

This bit of inspiration popped up on my Facebook feed and I don’t know who to credit for these words, but I love them.

I returned to the tarot deck for some guidance for the coming week. Here’s what I got.

If you dream it, you can achieve it. We see in these cups. so many choices, but before taking action, clarity and understanding of what the choices are is necessary. Before a desire can come into form, it exists as energetic potential. Make a choice of what cup you want to focus on by looking inside to see what is most in alignment with what you desire to manifest. This could not be more applicable for me, as I am considering searching for more part time work to generate extra income. It’s a struggle right now and money doesn’t go far enough. So, I’ll take this advice to heart before I begin an active search. I’m open to any suggestions you might have.

That’s it for today. I wish each of you a wonderful week ahead!

  • Comment (32)
  • You’re always so busy. I love the snorkeling story and the viewing box sounds like a great solution.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      I do stay busy, Craig. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I didn’t. I think it’s in the genes. The viewing box was a great solution. Otherwise, I would’ve been sitting on the boat watching everyone. So, all’s well that ends well. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

  • Teri Polen says:

    Sorry the snorkeling didn’t work out, but glad you were able to observe, Jan. When we were in Hawaii they gave my youngest son a float that had a clear window in it so he could see underwater. We were surprised when he ditched it for the snorkeling gear – he was never a water kid. I’m beginning to think you’re right about book festivals. The traffic at those I’ve attended has decreased every year.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      I saw a lady with a float that had a clear window, but apparently they only had one of those on the boat. But the viewing box worked good and at least I was able to see. Good for the kiddo for trying the snorkeling gear! If I had been younger, I might have been able to do it, but oh well… Yep. I am pretty sure because of the huge amount of authors everywhere, people are simply not interested in meeting the authors anymore. But I’m committed to next weekend. I am hoping for a little bit better results. Thanks so much for dropping by, Teri!

  • Dan Antion says:

    First off, Happy Birthday when the day arrives, Jan!

    The snorkeling sounds like it ended up going well for you. You were with family, so I’m sure you had a good time. Amazing to see the grandkids moving up in years.

    I hope you have a great week.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      Thanks for the birthday wish, Dan. It will be Thursday. 🙂 You are right about enjoying sharing all the adventures with family. It was a special time for all of us. The grandkids are all growing up so fast. It will be interesting to see what they do with their lives, if I stick around long enough. I appreciate you taking the time to visit!

  • Emma says:

    Happy birthday

  • I too wonder about book festivals. Your table is nice, clearly a lot of work to set up. Good luck next weekend.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      I truly think book festivals are dying out, Jacqui. There are way too many authors and not enough readers. If we can join in with other vendors or crafts, it gives us a better chance at selling a book. Thanks for the kind words!

  • I’m glad you got to visit with other authors and see old friends even if there wasn’t much traffic. Congrats again on the new release!

    • Jan Sikes says:

      It’s always a joy to get to visit with other authors. It’s like we speak a different language that not everyone can relate to. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Priscilla!

  • petespringer says:

    Time seems like it’s going faster all the time; it feels like school just ended. Kids don’t go back to school until next week here. Your table display looks lovely.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      It’s true, Pete. Time keeps marching on whether we keep up or not. 🙂 Things are settled into a school routine here and all is well. Thanks for the comment about my author table. I get to do it again next weekend. Praying for better results. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Patty Perrin says:

    Loved your snorkling account. I did it once off the coast of Key West. When a barracuda swam right underneath me, I hightailed it right back to the boat. Your table looked inviting with your amazing books and that tablecloth banner. It might have been the timing (who wants to go out in that heat?), or the new venue that kept people away. Who knows? This next event is sure to be better and result in many sales. Especially with less heat outside. Happy Birthday week!

  • Jan Sikes says:

    Thank you, Patty. I honestly think it was a combination of the new venue AND the heat, but we’ll see. I have another one this weekend in a different town. Thanks for the kind words and goodness, I would definitely have hightailed back to the boat if I’d seen a barracuda!

  • Well, you didn’t snorkel, but you got the same experience with the view box! To me, that’s a win, Jan.
    I’m going to snag your book after posting this comment and should have a review done for my month-end post. Yeah! I’m looking forward to it.
    Your comment on book events struck a chord. They’re fun, but immensely time-consuming, and rarely make enough to cover the gas. Sigh. Hope you have a wonderful week!

    • Jan Sikes says:

      You are so right, Diana. At least I got to view with the box, so it is a win. 🙂 Thank you for grabbing the new book. I look forward to your feedback and pray you enjoy it. Over the many years I’ve participated in book events, I’ve seen a steady decline in attendance and interest. And in this economy, who has the money to shell out for a book? Seriously. Thank you for stopping by!

  • Hi Jan, book festivals have never taken off in South Africa. People don’t read here and many can’t afford books even if they wanted them. I used to attend them anyway to socialise with other authors and do activities with school kids but I don’t anymore. My time is to precious now. Michael is heading into his final exams and is actually finished school classes. It flies past. I don’t know what all the cups symbolize but I like the magic mushroom with the pink halo.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      You are so right, Robbie. The condition of the world economy is definitely a deterrent. Who has money for books when they are struggling for food and shelter? I wish Michael the very best! I had to laugh at your comment about the magic mushroom and pink halo. It can be whatever you want it to be. Something magical! Thanks for visiting!

  • Snorkeling must have been wonderful, Jan! Have a great book tour!

  • I have a harder time with snorkling than scuba diving because water can so easily come into the snorkel. However, it sounds you had a great time anyway. Greenville is not very far from Dallas where we live. I wish I had known. Anyway, congratulations on your grandkids starting schools at different levels and Happy birthday.

    • Jan Sikes says:

      That’s interesting, Thomas. I never imagined scuba diving might be easier than snorkeling. I forget you live in Dallas. I will be in McKinney this coming weekend for another book event. It’s at the new City Hall in McKinney. If you make it out be sure to find me!

  • Pat Spencer says:

    Happy Birthday! I’m glad the tour folks were able to let you see beneath the water’s surface with the viewing box. It is amazing what is happening down there.

  • Paula Cappa says:

    Hey Jan, I love your book display table. Your table banner with your pix on it adds a great touch to your professional image.

  • D.L. Finn, Author says:

    Sorry about the snorkeling, Jan. I felt panic the first time I did it, not sure how I got past it other than determined to see the turtle. So happy they had a viewing box for you. It is an amazing world to see. If given a choice I’d prefer the box. Too bad about the book fairs but mixing them with other vendors makes sense. Good card pick and love the song you heard. As for part time jobs I’m in same boat, things increasing much faster than any wages. Xo

  • Sometimes the best part is just showing up, trying, and finding a new way (like with snorkeling). Wishing you a wonderful birthday week 🙌🏼

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