2020’s past the midway hump. Can you believe it? It feels like the first six months lasted a decade! Here’s hoping for a better rest of the year!

Weather permitting, we plan to light some fireworks in the front yard, and then sit outside to watch the neighbors’ fireworks from afar as well. With COVID spiking all over the country, please be safe. Please mask/socially distance/wash your hands, if you go out. We will get through this if we all work together to keep each other safe.

Swear to God. I honestly thought I’d never make it to 21. I was that kind of kid. So, every year past that has been a gift. I’ve lived my life to the fullest, traveled, loved. In my 40s, I was fine with aging, because again, I didn’t expect to make it that far. Now, I’m 62. Today. I have come to a reckoning with my age and my expectations. I still have many things I want to accomplish. Now’s the time.

To, again, live my life to the fullest.

To do those things I’ve been promising myself I’d do.

Like learn to paint. Part of me has always wanted to, but my mother was a real artist. Her friends, too. I crafted because I can work my way through a stepped process and produce pretty things. Still, I held back.

This year, I decided to go for it. Learn. Practice. I may never be great at it, but that’s okay with me. Another check on the bucket list.

So, I’ve been experimenting with mediums: watercolor, pastels, and now acrylics. This is my third effort with acrylics, and I know I don’t know a thing about composition, still can’t draw anything that doesn’t look like a stick figure, but I can make something that makes me smile.

Here’s my challenge to you.
Go for it! Whatever it is.

UPDATE: The winners are…Colleen, Jennifer, bn100, ButtonsMom2003 & Debra Guyette!
*~*~*

It’s another rainy day here in Arkansas. I swear, this has to be one of the wettest years ever. Because of all the rain, pool time didn’t begin until mid-May (usually, we dare dipping our toes mid-April!). With quarantine ongoing here on the farm (that’s an exaggeration, we have 10 acres), we really love it when the kids can be outside. Instead, we have to be very creative to keep them from getting stir-crazy.

This is the last day of the current storm system, so we’re hoping the pool will warm right back up and we’ll be out there enjoying the sunshine, but in the meantime, the dogs, the cats, the kids, are all underfoot constantly. Gah. It wreaks havoc on my work schedule, but what can you do?

Any suggestions? Comment for a chance to win a copy of one of my short stories! I’ll choose 3 winners! 

Enter these contests while you still can!

1. Reina Torres: I Confess! I love Reality Shows! (Contest) — Win a first in a series book!!
2. Fun things to do in COVID-Times…? (Contest) — Win a download of your choice!
3. Wishing happy thoughts for dads — and a Puzzle-Contest! — Win an Amazon gift card!

There are also several open contests, running right now, over at the Collections website! Be sure to check those out, too!

Meanwhile, down on the farm…

My dd was in the midst of cleaning out the goat pen and got a little unwanted help from Lil…

Tending the goats is one of the highlights of our days because they are as playful as puppies. Just had to share her picture. We have two goats, two horses, ten dogs (I think, last count anyway), four cats. A menagerie. The 6-year-old wants a bunny, but we all get a glazed look on our faces and quickly change the subject. We’d like to get a cow or steer to raise for the freezer, but that’s maybe next year. Next year will also be the garden we’ll plant. So many things to do! Who has time to be bored in COVID-time?!

Now, onto some good news…

See the little orange flag on the picture above?

Thank you to everyone who’s ordered their copy! It releases on June 30th and is chock full of fun stories. Something for everyone’s tastes, so long as you like a sexy story…

Pre-order your copy here:
Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Enter these Collections Contests while you can…

Over at the anthology website, we have contests still open! Prizes include books, and more books, Amazon gift cards! Be sure to head over there to enter!

1. Megan Ryder: Claiming Lyla (Contest–4 Winners!) — Last day to enter! (Okay, so this one’s right here! Still counts!) Win books or a gift card!
2. January George: Blackout (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Tray Ellis: Falling Off the Single Track (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Melanie Jayne: Drive (Contest) — Win the ENTIRE NOVUS SERIES!
5. Megan Ryder: Claiming Lyla (Contest — 4 Winners) — Win an anthology or an Amazon gift card!
6. Reina Torres: Far From Over (Contest — 2 Winners!) — Win an anthology!

“I have three phobias which, could I mute them, would make my life as slick as a sonnet but as dull as ditchwater: I hate to go to bed, I hate to get up, and I hate to be alone…” ~Tallulah Bankhead

Last night, my daughter and I heard a very loud whomp while we were sitting outside in the dark gossiping about our day. Spooked, my dd told me to go upstairs and tell her big, brave hubby to take his high-powered flashlight and see what it was. I did. I found him already asleep, so I turned on my phone battery and wandered out into the front yard, checking the gate, fences. No bear (we have neighbors with pics of bears going through the trash). No intruders (we’re on hyper-alert due to warnings to LEO families of random attacks). So no, I’m not afraid of things that go bump in the night like she is.

Three things I am afraid of…?

I’m afraid of being normal. (I know it sounds silly, but it’s been my thing my entire life. I never wanted “ordinary”.)
I’m afraid of losing a child or grandchild.
I’m afraid of heights.

Now, how about you? What three things are you afraid of?

Enter while you can!

1. Ava Cuvay: The Tentacle Dilemma (Contest — 4 Winners!) — This ends soon! Win an anthology or a cool T-shirt!
2. Megan Ryder: Claiming Lyla (Contest–4 Winners!) — Win books or a gift card!
3. Okay, I’m officially tired of… (Plus, a Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. January George: Blackout (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Michelle Levan!
*~*~*

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I’ve been working on a couple of art challenges during my self-isolation: the #100dayproject, where I produce some piece of art every single day; and #icad2020, where I do something artful on an index card every single day. I have to post every single day, which keeps me motivated.

I’ve always dabbled. I made jewelry for a long time because I considered myself a crafter only. But I always wanted to paint. The thing was, I was surrounded by really good painters—my mother, the art guild I belong to—so, I was hesitant to even try, because I really can’t sketch a thing. However, I began doodling last year, and then adding watercolor blotches to doodle on top of…and now, I’m painting. Not anything that will ever hang in a museum, and mostly quirky things or abstract things. However, it’s giving me a lot of joy. So, I thought I’d share some of the pieces I’ve created over the last couple of months.

This is my comfort zone—more “water-doodles” like the school of fish above.

I’ve been trying out different kinds of paints. This postcard is done in NeoColor crayons and pen. I’ll love mailing that to someone!

This is a bookmark I colored using soft pastels, another new thing I’m trying out.

And now, I’m combining what I’m learning with something I already love doing. These are handpainted blanks I’ll use to make earrings! Cool, right!?

So, a question! Is there something you’ve really, really wanted to try but either don’t have the confidence or the time to pursue? Answer for a chance to win a download of your choice of one of my recent releases!

These contests are still open!

1. Flashback: Quincy (Contest–3 Winners! Plus an Excerpt!) — This offer ends soon! Win a free story!
2. Flea Market Finds and a Puzzle & a Contest! — Win an Amazon gift card!

It’s my blog. I get to do this. 🙂

My daughter, Kelly, is my best friend. We’re not sure how that happened. When she was 15, she stole my car and drove from San Antonio to Corpus Christi with a girlfriend to go to the beach. I was sure my wild child would be the death of me. But I should have known. She is me. We’ve both defied the promise of our youth to become productive, law-abiding citizens. LOL

Our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Kelly and I at her old place a few years ago.

As she’s matured, we’ve drawn closer. I was sure when I moved from Texas that our bond would be stretched a bit. She’d get on with her life, and we’d see each other at holidays. However, a few months later, she called. She couldn’t stand it. She was coming to Arkansas, and we’ve been tight as thieves ever since. In fact, we share the same house now.

Us at an antique car show a couple of years ago.

She’s an amazing friend to her children as well. Yes, she can get loud when she’s displeased, but she’s always fair. And she’s very much “in” her kids’ lives. She knows their friends, throws parties for the kids (pre-COVID!), takes them to the games… She’s always on the go and never complains. Her oldest girl is just like her, and they are so close. I know when I’m gone, my dd will still have a lifelong friend.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how special she is to me. Every woman should have a best friend in her corner. Someone she trusts, someone she can lean on. For me, it’s my daughter.

Happy Birthday, Kelly!!!

So, everyone out there, do you have a special best friend in your life?