Oh my goodness, it’s HOT in Texas. We are melting. Come on Fall!
Yes, the temperatures are lingering in the triple digits daily. I know we should never be surprised, but it catches me off guard every year. I’m SO ready for my favorite time of year, autumn!
I’ll rant just a little. I’ve been in this apartment going on ten years. A few years ago, my electricity provider offered monthly averaging and since I am on a pretty fixed budget, I thought it would be wise so I wouldn’t get any surprises. It started out good, but over the last year it has more than doubled. Seriously? Surely the kwh rates haven’t raised that much. I doubt it will do any good, but I am going to call and inquire. I keep my thermostat on 78 degrees. They recommend 75.
To try and combat the heat in my office, where it gets the least amount of air, I installed tinted film over the window, with my daughter’s help. I don’t know if it will make any difference, but it was worth the effort to see.
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox and onto more positive things.
My Christmas story is coming along and I’m starting to think seriously about a cover, I had originally thought I would try to publish it in October, but as my sister pointed out, that’s coming up soon. I don’t know for sure, but I can try. I envision a nostalgic cover with a simple Christmas scene painted on a window and maybe the back view of the artist painting it. We’ll see. That might be too busy for a cover. Simpler is often better.
If you missed Sally’s post last week, she shared my short story, “Choosing Bella,” I’ve said it before, but I’ll repeat it. Sally Cronin is one of the most supportive people in the blogging world. I deeply appreciate her. Here’s the link, in case you missed it: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2026/08/05/smorgasbord-authors-in-the-sun-choosing-bella-by-jan-sikes/
Also the video I shared last week for Rick’s birthday got over 1,000 views on Facebook. I wish my book posts would get even a small percentage of that, but most of the time, I only hear crickets.
I get it. We live in world where we are constantly bombarded. I keep hoping I’ll find a magic solution for promoting my books. And I know most of us are in the same boat. Many have stopped trying. It’s not in me to throw in the towel. I wish there was a way to schedule social media posts ahead of time and just put a big effort into it one day a week. Anyone know of a program like that that is free? A social media person would be nice to have. 🙂 Yep, I’m dreaming.
Yesterday was National Book Lover’s Day! I should have planned in advance and put something on sale. 🙂 Hindsight.
This coming Saturday, I will be in Greenville, Texas for a book festival. It’s my first of the year. I’ve really been slacking in getting out and sharing my books. I hope for a good turnout and that folks are in a buying mood!!! I’ll let you know.
Compared to the past few weeks, this last one was mild. I worked at the store a couple of days and did tarot readings one day. That is starting to pick up.
I went to a sound bath for the Lion’s Gate on 8-8 and it was awesome. The Lion’s Gate portal is still active until 8-12. Don’t know about the Lion’s Gate? It’s a time when planetary alignment allows for some major shifts. It is a time when you can actively manifest your desires, shift your consciousness into a higher frequency and release the past.
Then on 8-12, we have a complete solar eclipse. Lots going on out there in the galaxy!
Sydney is supposed to get her cast off this week, and school starts on the 12th. Everything is in preparation mode and countdown. And she’s been writing poetry again. She read me two of them and they are really good!
My middle grandson who is a junior in high school this year got his first job. 🙂 I’m so proud of him. His days are long, but he’s doing it. He’s practicing to be an adult.
I saw this meme and it grabbed me. It’s so true!
I’m doing something a little different this week. Have I ever shared my Native American Medicine cards with you? I don’t think so. I was nudged to pull a card from that deck to share this week. Hope you can relate to it.
The Beaver is the “doer” in the animal kingdom.
Key message: Teach me to build my dreams including others, too. If Beaver showed up for you today, it may be time to put your new ideas into action or complete a project that has been neglected. Beaver tells you to look for alternative solutions to life’s challenges and the creations into which you put your love and energy into. Okay, Mister Beaver. I get the message. Gotta finish my story.
Hope you enjoyed today’s post. I wish you a great week ahead, and hope you get to see the solar eclipse in your part of the world.
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Thank you for the newsy update, Jan! I’m glad your grandkids are doing so well. I’ll Sydney will be very glad to get that cast off. I know there are programs that will schedule social media posts, but I haven’t noticed a free one. I schedule posts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Substack. The process is a little fiddly.
I enjoyed reading your post today! I especially liked the meme about: fire, water, earth wind and the Beaver card. I also feel your frustration trying to stay on top of the social media promos along with writing books and promoting them. It’s a lot to keep up with and I always love reading your honest Meanderings.
Great updates. WE keep the temp at 78, too, though every once in a while, I have to drop it a degree. CA hasn’t hit triple digits, but I’m still hot!
I’m reading a 78-book series called Storm Warrior where the MC starts off living with the Sioux. For two books, I am learning so much about their culture. It’s fascinating. I know he moves on soon, but I’ll enjoy Indian culture while I can.
As I commented on your blog post, Jacqui, a 78 book series is quite a commitment. I’ll look forward to your thoughts on it. Yep. Today, I bumped my thermostat up to 80 for daytime and will bump it down for night. It’s a struggle. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Yay for making progress on your story and Sydney getting her cast off! At least she won’t have to deal with crutches in school. I’ll also be watching for the solar eclipse. Have a great week, Jan!
Hi Jan. I’ll look out for the solar eclipse. I like the beaver reading. Very nice 💕
I hope you get to see the solar eclipse. It’s always fascinating to me. Glad you related to the beaver! Thanks for visiting, Robbie!
My pleasure, Jan. All the best with finalizing your new book. I’m trying to finalize mine too.
Thanks for the plug Jan and delighted your Christmas story is taking shape… I am sure it will be amazing… ♥♥
My pleasure, Sally. Thanks for visiting.
Since the beaver is the national animal of Canada, this is a perfect card for me. It’s ridiculously hot here in Spain too and very humid, so we are dripping. It causes a brain fog and I find it hard to write. Off to Scotland on FRiday for a writer’s retreat and a reprive from the heat. Sending hugs. (But they might be sticky) xo
I did not know the Beaver was your national animal. Glad to share him. Oh, how I would love to join you in Scotland. And a writer’s retreat is the icing on the cake. Enjoy!! Thanks for stopping by.