Summer's Ending

Please excuse the silence from my blog. I'm taking a break until after Labor Day because I have some very special houseguests. My daughter and grandgirl are visiting, and I'm busy playing.

Until we chat again, read a good book, splash in a pool, go for a walk with loved ones, say "goodnight" to the moon, dance for the fun of it, hold hands and run across the grass, stand under a tall maple tree and look up at the leaves, rest in a hammock, play at the park, and eat drippy ice cream.

That's what I'll be doing.

Have a blessed end to your summer.

Sad-but-true thought of the day

No, I'm not depressed. I've been learning many life lessons the past few years, and this is simply one of them.

The lesson learned? --> Never chase love, affection, or attention. If it isn’t given freely by another person, it isn’t worth having.

Happy Left Handers Day!

Yes, I'm a southpaw. I'm grateful that when I started school in the 1960s teachers no longer forced you to adapt to writing with your right hand. I have enough issues to deal with without adding that.

Being left handed has never seemed much of a problem to me because I truly have mixed dominance and use my right hand for certain tasks. I iron with my right hand, and I use right-handed scissors.

Being a writer I've played with the idea of writing some mysterious scene that someone figures out something that happened could only be done by a left-handed person. I've never fully fleshed it out, but it's fun to play what if.

Anyway, I ran across a fun website for left handers where you can "celebrate your right to be left handed."

Whether your right- or left-handed, have a blessed day, friends.

Publishing Industry News

Curious about what's going on in publishing?

Hop over to Novel Rocket. I'm posting my monthly article on publishing industry news.

Also, if you run across any industry news, please pass the info along. I'm always grateful for any help I get.

Why reading is good for you

I've always LOVED to read, and now there's scientific proof that lifelong reading may help you maintain your marbles when you get old.

But aside from those wonderful benefits, reading had helped to shape my personality and outlook.

I've identified with some amazing and courageous characters who have nudged me to be try to be more courageous.

I've found that some of my rough edges have been softened by seeing a situation through another set of eyes.

I've found escape during difficult times in fiction that has helped me walk through some valleys. My fictional "friends" have kept me company on days when I'm not fit for polite society.

How about you? Have books rescued you when you needed it?