Welcome 2019

Wishing everyone a blessed and safe New Year! 

Post Season Wrap-Up

You blink and an entire season is gone. I barely recall the weekends and the vacation seems like it happened to someone else. I was blessed to get away so I won't complain. But seriously, next time, I'm going to need to buy sand in a bottle or at least embed sand in the sole of my sandals to remind me that I was actually at the beach.

This summer, I got closer to nature...and bugs. I don't besmirch certain multiple-legged beings their right to roam or jump in my garden but a little chipping in on the monthly expenses would be nice. If you're going to claim my home as yours...I'm just sayin'....

I wear gloves but yet, seeing something crawl along the back of my hand sends me into near-convulsions to the delight of Oscar (that's what I named my neighbor's Retriever + (plus, because he's mixed with something but nobody knows what). I don't know why "Oscar" popped into my head. That's not even the dog's real name but his bark sounds like an "Oscar." 

On the writing front, I am nearing the end of several projects along with the reworking of a story previously published by a now-defunct publisher. I'm happy about my progress.

Fall is here and with it, the beginning of the holiday season and the never-ending quest to not eat too much. My decision to divulge to the family that I was not making two pans of mac and cheese was met with silence and disgust. Whatever. I'm the one cooking it so what I say goes unless someone else wants to take the reins in the kitchen. Any takers?  Silence...to my eternal disgust.

A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers and mothers-to-be. Frankly, all women. Doesn't matter if your children are fur babies, you mother someone or something. KUDOS TO YOU!!

What Season is This?

Is it just me or is our weather going bonkers? I routinely keep coat and jacket in  my vehicle. I have sweaters in my desk at the DJ because by the time the heat travels from the vent to the side of my face on which it constantly blows, it feels like cold air. I'm pretty sure the pores on that side of my face are perpetually tight and youthful. And yet, some days I don't apparently comprehend the weather forecast and end up removing a thermal layer because a bead of sweat created a path down my back -- when I'm not even exercising. It's enough to make you feel icky for the rest of the day.


Spring has supposedly arrived but it sure doesn't feel like it. Guess you really can't please all of the people all of the time.

Powering Thru It

I don't know where you live, but there are quite a few cases of nasty colds and flu around in my area. The hubby, who'll I'll refer to as Sarge, managed to fall victim to the flu. I was diligent about making sure I didn't catch anything from him. Turns out, I wasn't as diligent as I thought. Or, I may have sucked the virus from the air at the DJ. Who the heck knows where one picks up things from? The grocery store? Theatre? The mall? Ulta? Sephora?  

I've never experienced issues with my sinuses before but let me tell you, my sinuses were clenched tighter than flesh stuffed in spandex. The pressure of my head was nothing like I'd ever felt before. Breathing was a major issue because I couldn't get a sliver of air in my nostrils. Thankfully, It wasn't raining since I was forced to breathe through my mouth.

I didn't have a fever but when I went to sleep, apparently a fever developed and then broke. My clothes were so wet they were literally sticking to my skin. I think even my socks were damp. What the heck kind of fever was that?

But I'm slowly getting better and Sarge is a huge help. Every now and then we all need a bit of babying.

Where did January go?

Am I the only one wondering what the heck I've done for the first 31 days of the year? Seems like just yesterday it was New Year's Day. However, we are inching closer to Spring and I have to admit I'm more than ready. Nothing against Winter but dodging folks with colds and flu is a full-time job.

To show my respect for this necessary season (after all, it's hard to wear fabulous cashmere sweaters in summer), I composed a little something. Hope it brings a warm smile to your face.

My Ode to Winter (well, not really an ode, but a rambling)

You are a cool customer whenever you're seen.
Dressed in your sparkling white and dripping with ice.
Forecasters try to guess your next appearance.
Are you really misunderstood? Or inherently nice?

Some love you while others dread your approach.
Frozen flowers you wear like a broach.
Unapologetic for your divine time,
Revered and record-breaking-- like a fine wine.

Countless snowmen and angels disappear with you,
Entrusted to your care until the next year.
When you return with much fanfare right after Fall,
The dazzling belle of the frozen season's ball.

Playlist for Postponed Pleasure

So when I was writing Postponed Pleasure, the kernel that kicked the Laila and Matt's love story into gear were a couple of songs. Now, perhaps they weren't necessarily meant to be viewed as break-up music but that's what my ear interpreted them as. Isn't it funny when you're going through heartache, you hear exactly the music you need to hear?

Here are a few of the songs that comprised playlist I used while writing Postponed Pleasure:

• Sade - No Ordinary Love
• Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
• Lisa Fischer - How can I Ease the Pain
• Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
• Peabo Bryson - Can You Stop the Rain

What are some of your favorite break-up songs?