Greetings, friends. I’m glad you’ve joined me for another meandering.

First off, the good news. I got a new part-time job which I start today. It is at a local metaphysical store, The Mindful Mermaid, and I will be helping with inventory, data entry and moving the physical story location. Then, I will also have the opportunity to do some in-person tarot readings. So, the Universe responded to my need for extra income in a really quick and big way! That means my days will be short as far as working on anything personal, but it’s temporary and all good.
Yesterday was my fortieth wedding anniversary. I shared the photo on Facebook and never before noticed the sparkles around my head and Rick’s arm. Could be that the photo is old and getting faded, but I loved seeing it! It’s so hard to wrap my mind around time and how fast it goes by. What a special day that was!

On an completely different note, I walked into the McKinney Literary Fest on Saturday to learn that a long time friend and fellow author, Rox Burkey, had passed away. Shock isn’t a big enough word to describe what I felt. I went back out to my car and sat there for a few minutes fighting back tears, then squared my shoulders and went inside. It’s what she would have wanted and insisted on. I had talked with her on Sunday and the last thing she said was, “I’ll see you in McKinney.” Life is fragile. We often forget it. Rox loved book festivals, conferences and networking with other authors. She often hosted get-togethers for authors at her home in Dallas and that included yearly Christmas cookie baking extravaganzas. She will be sorely missed. Authors, please make sure someone knows how to get into all of your author stuff. It’s important. Tell someone!



Life is fragile. That’s the truth.
The McKinney Literary Fest was much more successful than the previous one in Greenville. McKinney did a great job of advertising and there were lots of people walking through. I sold a few books and everyone around me sold books, so it helped to restore my faith in the book events. 🙂 Here’s my table.

The Sister’s Blog Tour has been a lot of fun so far. This week, we visit with Dan Antion and John Howell. I will post the links here! To everyone following along, THANK YOU!! We are so grateful for the support.
For the inspirational quote this week, I’m using one of the most recent posts Rox Burkey put up on their Enigma Series page on Facebook. It seems so appropriate.

I went to my favorite Angel card deck for some comfort and encouragement for the week ahead and this is the gift I was given.

That’s it for today. As always, thank you for taking precious time from your day to stop here. It means the world to me.
The sparkles on your wedding picture are so special whatever the reason. You look adorable and so happy. Congrats on the part time job and the successful book event. Your books look very impressive all lined up like that. Well done, you. I’m sure Rick is very pleased for you and proud! Have a good week. xo
I thought so too, Darlene, when I saw the photo. I never noticed the sparkles there before. 🙂 Thanks for all the encouraging words, and for stopping by!
I’m sorry to hear of your friend Rox’s passing. May she rest in peace. I love the wedding photo!
Thank you, Priscilla, for the comforting words. Rox was a wonderful lady and will be sorely missed. I appreciate you stopping by!
What a beautiful wedding photo. Perhaps the sparkles are God’s way of telling you what the tarot card said. All is well. I’m so sorry to hear about Rox. She was always so supportive of other authors, and an amazing author herself. She’ll be sorely missed.
That’s so true, Patty. Rox loved supporting and encouraging other authors. Thank you for stopping by and for the beautiful words about the wedding photo. And you are right. “All is well!” Have a great week!
Happy anniversary. Lovely pic.
Thank you so much, Esther!
Thanks for sharing the wedding photo, Jan. The sparkles are interesting. I am sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your friend. Those things are hard to process. Hang in there. See you tomorrow at my place.
Thanks for stopping by, Dan. You are right in that sudden losses like that of my dear friend are difficult to process. I look forward to visiting tomorrow at your place!
I’m so sorry about Rox. You’re a true professional, Sister. Although you were breaking apart, you didn’t let anyone see that. I’m proud of you for doing the hard stuff. That was our mom. I hope the angel card provided comfort. Death sure has a sting, but that’s the process of life. We come, work, then die. I remember your wedding day well and how beautiful it was. I was proud of you then too. I’m so happy that the job came along and just in time but please, try to relax when you can. Much love.
Thank you for stopping by, sister! Your words are encouraging and yes, sometimes we have to do hard stuff, but we do it and move along. It’s hard to believe that forty years have flown by since Rick and I got married. What a journey it’s been. I love you so much! We’ll talk soon!
Hi Jan, I’m shocked to hear of Rox’s passing. Did she have an accident? It seems really sudden. I’m glad you have a nice job that interests you and pays you. A rare win win situation.
Thanks so much, Robbie. Apparently, Rox had been fighting cancer for a while and didn’t tell anyone except immediate family. Then she got RSV and her immune system was compromised and couldn’t fight it. Just so sad.
Oh, I am so sorry to know this 😢🙏
It is such a big loss to the author community, Robbie.
How sad! She will definitely be missed. :'(
Yes, she will. Thank you, Yvette.
So unexpected. How awful, but you handled it perfectly. I’m glad that next festival was better than Greenville.
Thanks, Jacqui. Rox would have wanted us to carry on. That’s just who she was.
The news about Rox is a shock. Hard to imagine the author scene without her. Your wedding photo is a treasure. The last time I was in McKinney was for a show with Allen. Did he put this one on, or was it someone else? Looking forward to your visit on Wednesday.
I almost laughed out loud at the mention of Alan. 🤪I have had no association with him for several years. So, no, this book festival is sponsored by the McKinney Public Library System and very professional. I agree about Rox. She was quite a lady and I feel honored to have known her. Thanks for visiting, John.
Happy 40th Anniversary, Jan! Congratulations on the goodness at the Literary Fest!
Thanks all the way around, Tim!
Oh, no, Jan! It breaks my heart to hear about Rox’s passing. Do you know how she passed away? She was always so kind to me and other authors. I can only imagine how devastated Charles must be. :'( I am happy you found the perfect space for your part-time job, and your tarot reading is just perfect for dealing with loss. Sending hugs your way….
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you for your comment. To avoid repeating, look up at my answer to Robbie’s question about Rox. She was a dynamic lady and will be sorely missed.
That is a great photo and I saw it before on Facebook. Congratulations on your new job and the successful McKinney Literary Fest. I am sorry about your friend Rox Burkey.
Thank you, Thomas. I’m happy you stopped by. Hey, maybe you should look into participating in the McKinney Literary Fest next year!
I vaguely knew Rox. Sad to learn this. Your life is still a roller coaster, but you handle it well. The metaphysical store might be a lot of fun. Might be a good setting for a story.
Rox was such a dynamic personality and she will be sorely missed. I agree. My life seems to be one long roller coaster ride. 🙂 Maybe that’s why I don’t like getting on a physical roller coaster. The work at the metaphysical store is such a godsend and who knows? Maybe it will spark a new story! Thanks so much for stopping by, Craig!
I love the sparkles on your beautiful wedding picture, Jan 🙂 It’s like the photo is bursting with love. Congrats on that perfect job, Jan! I am very sad to hear about Rox. Another great loss for our community. Happy the day still went well for you. Xo
A happy, sad, and ultimately peaceful post, Jan. The sparkles are wonderful, as is your job, the success of the book fair, and the angel card. I’m so sorry to hear about Rox. It was lovely to honor her here with some sweet memories and photos. <3
Thank you for visiting, Diana. I love your sweet comment.
Happy anniversary, Jan! Your photo is gorgeous, and I love the sparkles. But I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. It’s wonderful to hear about your job and book fair success though. ❤️