Hope everyone is doing well on this Monday, the middle of September. Me? I’m doing just fine. I have some fun things to share today.
I just love it when authors get to meet up and visit. And that’s what happened last Friday. I had received a random email from this author and almost blocked and deleted it, as I do multiple scam emails per day. But something told me to look at it more carefully and I’m glad I did. This author’s name is Ruby Sloane and the email was all about helping an avid reader in the UK (Hannah) who is undergoing treatment for an advanced stage of cancer. Ruby requested book donations as well as introduction videos to send to Hannah and mimic a sort of book festival. I did my research and found that Ruby Sloane was indeed a very legitimate author, so I donated “A Beggar’s Bargain” and made a short video. I also bought Ruby’s latest book. Then I found out she lives in a town near me and we arranged to meet for lunch. We had such a great visit. She had purchased “Flowers and Stone” and asked me to autograph it, and she brought me two more of her books as well as a coffee mug. I tell you all of this to say, sometimes it pays to look closer at cold emails. I have a new connection and will look forward to sharing my review of her book “The Rapist Killer,” with you.
Me and Ruby Sloane
Oh, and one more really pretty cool thing happened last Friday. The lady who owns the metaphysical store where I work and do readings rented an entire movie theater for all of her employees, practitioners, and regular customers to go see Practical Magic 2. I didn’t even know it was possible to rent an entire theater. The movie was SO good. And it was such fun being in a theater filled with people I knew. .
In bookish news, I received the first round of edits back from my amazing editor, Dianne. I haven’t looked too closely at them yet, but will do that today for sure. I’m also getting closer to having a cover for “Painting Christmas.”
In the meantime, I started working on book covers for the print versions of The White Rune Series books. I am very pleased with what I got. Two down. One to go.
Once I get the final one done, then maybe I can take a deep breath and catch up on some long neglected book work and house work. 🙂
I’ve had a few conversations lately about the distinction between the brain and the mind. It started with talking about how the mind never seems to need rest, but the body does. So while our body sleeps, perhaps out of boredom, the mind wanders into unknown places with unknown people and creates scenarios we’d never imagine. 🙂 Then I did some research and a neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Egnor, has a fascinating YouTube video about how he perceives the difference between the brain and mind. I’m sharing the link, if it interests you. LINK
I know there is a multitude of mysteries we’ll never understand, but it’s fun to speculate. The entire matrix of the human body/soul is mind-blowing!
The grandchildren are all doing okay at the moment. Sydney is continuing to improve with the physical therapy and we are hopeful she’ll be walking normally again soon!
But speaking of Sydney, one of the things that makes it more difficult for her is the weight of the school backpack. She is a petite girl and not super strong. That backpack weighs at least 40 pounds and maybe closer to 50. It’s insane to me. I can barely lift it. I’ve asked her multiple times if she can take some things out of it and she always says she needs everything. When I pick her up from school, I often see kids carrying two backpacks – one on the front and one on their back. I swear this generation of kiddos is going to have back problems. The schools still have lockers in the hallways, but because of a Board of Education ruling, they can no longer utilize them. Their reasoning for the rule is tied to school shootings and having a place to hide a weapon. I suppose it makes sense, but what these kids have to carry around daily is ridiculous. Okay. I’ll step off my soap box now. Nothing I can do about it.
I absolutely love this quote from Audrey Hepburn!
Here is the card for the week.
The King of Wands depicts someone who is focused, determined and driven. It’s all about giving your full attention to a project or situation by channeling all of your energy and skills in that direction. As you can see by the image, there is also a projection of complete confidence. Sometimes we have to trust our abilities. I can definitely relate to this card and will make a concerted effort this week to stay focused! How about you? Can you relate?
That’s it for now. Have a great week ahead!
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Well done you for sifting Ruby out of the ocean of scammers which ebbs and flows around our feet; sounds like a productive meeting! Sorry that Sydney’s recovery is so slow, but clearly not helped by the weight she has to carry, on a daily basis; I swear soldiers have to carry less! I could use some of your King of Wands focus from here on; I seem to do everything apart from write these days! Thanks for sharing, Jan, have a good week. 🙂
By the way, Jan, I just bought Ghostly Interference. I want to read Book 1 first, and I always enjoy your storytelling. 🤗
Oh yay!!! I am honored, Lauren!
So glad you were able to meet Ruby, Jan! And the book covers are gorgeous! Too bad about the backpacks. That seems insane because 40-50 lbs is a lot to carry all day long. It’s even more sad that the younger generations have to deal with school shootings. I love the Audrey Hepburn quote, so inspiring! And the movie theater, how fun! I can’t wait to see that movie! Thanks for sharing and hope you take time to breathe. 🥰
Thank you for stopping by, Lauren. I’m glad you like the book covers, and yes, it was a pleasure meeting Ruby! It is sad that our children have to even be aware of school shootings. We were lucky to have grown up when we did. Well, I’m a LOT older than you, but you know what I mean. You are going to love Practical Magic 2! I’m trying to remember to take a minute to breathe. 🙂
So, school kids don’t have lockers anymore and have to be pack mules for all their books and supplies all day?! Could Sydney get one of those rolling cases for books, laptop, notebook, etc.? I did that when my work bag was too heavy for me to lug around, and it worked really well.
Yep. Pack mules pretty much describes it. I wish she would get a rolling backpack, but she is a teenager and that just isn’t cool. 🙁 And at fifteen, appearances is everything. Thanks for visiting, Liz!
Oh. I didn’t know that the rolling backpack isn’t cool. You’re welcome, Jan!
You’re doing really good, Jan! It’s very nice that you met Ruby and helped Hannah. Your book covers are wonderful.
Thanks so much, Tim! I’m happy you stopped by!
My pleasure that I stopped by, Jan! 😍
The mind is fascinating and even neurosurgeons don’t actually know how the brain works, all those synapses and electricity buzzing around.
It’s fascinating, isn’t it, Janet? I enjoyed listening to what Dr. Egnor had to say. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Great meet up and what fun to share your side by side books.. Gorgeous covers. Oh for the heavy load so back breaking.. I remember trying to enlist the school to have rollers but the kids felt it wasn’t cool.. ugh.. xx
Thank you, Cindy. I agree it was wonderful to meet Ruby. And yes, the rolling backback would be great, but to these teenagers, it isn’t cool at all. 🙁
I’ll bet it was fun meeting Ruby. The covers are terrific, Jan. That locker explanation makes me wonder. Couldn’t someone hide a weapon in an oversized backpack just as easily? Oh well, I guess we need to let the educators believe that they are doing the right thing.
It was great to meet Ruby and to share. Glad you like the covers, and I feel the same about hiding a weapon in a backpack. But I don’t make the rules. I appreciate you visiting today, John!
I love you meeting a new writer friend through email, Jan. I’ve gotten used to deleting everything, maybe a i should give some an extra look. Glad Sydney is progressing. I agree about the back packs and how heavy they are. That is crazy they can’t use their lockers and have to carry everything around. I forgot Practical Magic 2 is out. I will have to check it out. How cool you got a private showing. I lo e the card picked, I do need to focus, its been chaotic here and couldn’t have picked a better card. Xo
Thank you, Denise. I’m glad you stopped by. You definitely need to see Practical Magic 2. So good! The card jumped out at me and it definitely seems to fit. Hope things are settling a bit for you. Hugs!
The covers look amazing and it’s always so great to meet other authors. So sorry to hear about Sydney, carrying heavy bags does lead to back and shoulder issues. I did the same when I was in school and have permanent shoulder issues due to carrying a heavy bag daily.
Oh goodness. I really do fear for the kiddos. Glad you like the covers, and it’s always great to meet authors. Thank you so much for visiting, Pooja!
Love, love the covers, Sister! The two you’ve done are really so beautiful and I know Ghostly will be also. How nice to connect with another author and I hope you get to do it again. I hope the King of Wands kicks in soon and gives me a spurt of inspiration for completing this new story. Love you.
Yes, sister. We all can use some of the energy from the King of Wands! I’m glad you like the covers. I’m very pleased with them. I’ll work on Ghostly once I finish the edits for Painting Christmas. Thank you for stopping in. Love you, too!
Fascinating stuff about the mind and body. Don’t you wonder why we sometimes dream about nonsensical things or retrieve something we haven’t thought about in years?
Dreams have always fascinated me, Pete, but I never knew about any distinction between the brain and mind. It explains a lot. Apparently our minds get bored while we sleep and decide to wander off. 🙂 Thanks for visiting. Have a great week ahead!
Thank you for a blog post filled with upbeat personal news, Jan. I don’t think I have ever been to a private movie screening. That sounds like a great way to nurture connections between people!
Thanks for visiting, Will. I had never been to a private showing either, but it was really fun!
The meet-up story is one with multiple happy endings. I’m so glad to hear that. The new covers are coming along nicely, and how cool is renting an theater for your people!
I hope you have a great week, Jan.
PS, and the kids allowed roll-aboard backpacks? My boss used to use one because he had a bad back.
Thanks, Dan. For some reason WP put your comment in Spam. Ugh! Yes. Meeting up with Ruby Sloane was uplifting. Glad you like the new covers. I agree about the theater. I had no idea it was even a possibility. The kids could have rolling backpacks, but they are “uncool” and you know how teenagers are. 🙂 Have a great week!
Ah, uncool. I understand. Fortunately, I am well beyond the age where that matters.
WP has been putting many longtime readers in spam lately. I’m not sure what’s going on.
So much going on for you! Love the connection you made with Ruby.
It was a wonderful visit, Jacqui. I’m so glad I didn’t ignore that email. Thanks for stopping by!
What a wonderful visit, Jan! The card today fits perfectly for where I am right now. Even on the days the best I can do is to lie in bed, I always use the time to reflect and heal. When my brain is up to it, I also use the forced downtime to plan for when I’m able again. My life demands determination every day, as well as finding peace and joy in the smallest of things. Thanks for sharing ❤️
It is so wonderful to see you, Harmony and to catch up with what you have going on over on your blog. You are truly an inspiration. And yes, it’s so important to find peace and joy in at least one thing daily! Thank you for visiting!
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I think it’s wonderful that you got to meet Ruby Sloane in person. The Jagged Feathers and Saddled Hearts covers look awesome!
Thank you so much, Priscilla! Yes, it’s always lovely to meet other authors and have a face-to-face conversation.
The covers look fantastic, Jan – very colorful and eye-catching. When Reese was in high school his backpack was always heavy, but it was because he didn’t have time to go to the locker in between classes. I can’t imagine not being able to utilize the locker at all. The King of Wands is calling to me this week. I need all the focus I can get.
You and me both, Teri. I need all the focused energy I can muster! I hate that the kids can’t use lockers. It would make it all so much easier, but I understand to a degree, the reasoning. Still. they can hide a weapon inside their backpack just as easily. Glad you like the covers. I enjoyed making them. Thanks for visiting!
How great to meet up with another author!
Oh, definitely! I really enjoyed having a face-to-face conversation!
These covers are gorgeous! Lovely to see them.
I saw the first Practical Magic. I’m glad you enjoyed number 2. I’ll have to go and see it 🥰
Thank you so much, Esther. I am very pleased with the covers. Knowing I was going to see Practical Magic 2, I had re-watched the first one to refresh my memory. 🙂 I definitely recommend it.
The new covers look amazing, Jan! What fun to go to the theatre to see a movie. I haven’t done that for years. Meeting fellow authors is always a treat!
I love meeting fellow authors in person. The conversation is always uplifting! Going to the movie theater for a private viewing was pretty awesome. I go occasionally with my grandkids, but this was special. Thanks for stopping by and glad you like the book covers, Darlene!