Happy Friday! Wow, this has been one heck of a week.
As you know, I missed posting last Friday due to a scheduled appearance at the Bandera, Texas Library. It was a six-hour drive from where I live, so it made for a long day.
The turnout wasn’t great, but everyone who came left with a book or two, so at least it wasn’t a bust.
Then, after the event ended, I ate at the historic O.S.T. (Old Spanish Trail) restaurant and visited the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, which was recently purchased by a good friend. It made for a fun night. If you are ever in Bandera, I recommend stopping at both places!
My destination the next day was Lubbock to spend time with my sister, who is having some health issues. But on the way, I stopped at Cactus Town, Texas, to visit with another good friend, Cactus Mike. I know I’ve mentioned him and Cactus Town before on my blog. His place is just outside San Angelo, Texas, and is AMAZING! I hadn’t seen it in several years and was blown away by how he has expanded and grown. I came home with three new stones from Cactus Town.
The tall one in the back is a Selenite Tower, then to the right is a piece of Azurite. In front is a Stalactic Goethite. The picture does not do this piece justice. It literally looks like a fairy fantasy village on an island and is said to help writers with writer’s block and to help heal emotions and stay grounded. It now sits next to my computer. Seriously, if you are ever anywhere around San Angelo, Cactus Town is a must-see place!
From there, I went on to Lubbock. My sister had surgery on Monday, the 6th, and the findings were not good. She will undergo another surgery on March 23rd. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I am so glad I could be there for a few days. It’s a visit I’ll always treasure. We watched the Netflix series, “Women at War,” and it is a really good story. I highly recommend it.
I got home late on Thursday the 16th and have been playing catch-up since. I know I’ve missed a lot of your blogs.
On the reading front, I just finished Gwen Plano’s new book, “Redemption: A Father’s Fatal Decision” and highly recommend it. It’s a mystery and thriller but also incorporates family dynamics in a way that only Gwen can do. My review is coming soon.
There is absolutely nothing to report on the writing front. I haven’t opened my WIP in over a week. I’m hoping to get back to it soon. I’m chomping at the bits to finish it.
On Tuesday of this week, I woke up to the lovely message that I’d been locked out of Facebook. I was prompted to upload a photo ID, which I did, only to immediately receive a message that I’d submitted too many times. What? I guess once was too much. So, I waited a while before trying again. This time, I received a message that I was too young to be on Facebook. What???? By now, I was getting frustrated. I texted a good friend, and she decided to see what she could do. It took a good bit of time, but she was finally able to get me back in. Craziness!
Tomorrow, I will be at Patchouli Joe’s Book Store in Denton for a book fair. Don’t you just love the name of the store? I will have to wear Patchouli. 🙂 I am hoping for a good turnout.
That’s it from me for now. I hope you have a fantastic weekend! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Writing and Music 
You’re so busy, Jan. I’m glad you took the time to see your sister. More than anything else, that’s important. The rest can wait, or in your case, the rest can be stuffed around the edges! Wonderful rocks! Just the names of the places down there in Texas make me smile. Hang in there, and I hope you find a little writing time when things settle down. Sending love and light for your sister. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Lol! Yes, you have to love Bandera (The Cowboy Capital of the World) and Cactus Town, Texas. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and for the good wishes. I am determined to carve out some writing time next week!
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Just take care of yourself, Jan. ❤ ❤ ❤
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It would take me a month to do all of that–yikes! I hope your sister is going to be fine, and glad you were there for her. The FB lockout–shoot. I’m not sure I’d care if I was locked out. I don’t do much on FB anymore, but I’m happy your friend helped with that.
Denton–I’m looking at a 55+ development there, but haven’t driven over to visit. Do you like Denton? Good people? Hospitals (important for us olders).
Hugs to you, Jan.
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It was a busy week for sure, Jacqui, and I’m still feeling a little jet-lagged. 🙂 I wouldn’t care that much about FB locking me out, except it’s the way I keep up with distant family and friends and what’s happening locally in the music scene. I was glad to get back in.
Denton is a nice town. They have an annual book festival I’ve participated in many times. My only complaint about the town is the roadways. They aren’t built to handle all the traffic they get. But the people I’ve met there have been wonderful, and there is a really good medical support system. Where do you currently live?
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I’m in Southern California right now, looking for a more affordable retirement. There is a 55+ community in Denton that caught my eye (forgot its name at the moment). But, I have a few infirmities so need good med!
Thanks for the low down.
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Was it Robson Ranch? That community has a wonderful reputation and is right outside of Denton. Let me know if you progress any further with moving this way!
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Yes! I think it was Robson Ranch. I’m so glad to hear it has a good reputation. It looks good on the website. Thanks, Jan.
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A busy week, Jan. I’m sorry to hear of your sister’s health challenges. Moments like that put everything in perspective.
Your Facebook “too young” story reminded me of an occasion in a drug store when my father-in-law bought some cold medicine. He was at least 80 at the time and the definition of cantankerous. They asked him for his photo ID because it had alcohol in it, and he didn’t understand. He looked at the woman and said, “What? Am I too old?”
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You are right, Pete. Health challenges puts everything else in perspective. I love the story of your father-in-law. Good on him for the fun reply! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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That sounds like a long but fun and productive trip. Up here in the congested corner, a six-hour drive could put me two or three states away. Good luck tomorrow at the book fair.
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Ha! Ha! Yep, Dan. The hardest part of traveling outside of Texas is actually getting outside of Texas. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
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I Love the new rocks you picked up, Jan! Nice you are getting out there and selling some books! Keeping your sister in my prayers and sending more healing energy xo
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I love them, too, Denise. It’s always exciting to get new rocks. 🙂 Thank you for the healing prayers for my sister. Much appreciated!
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Those gems are gorgeous! Sending healing energy to your sister, Jan! Hope you have a great weekend!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Yvette, for the healing energy! I agree. I love my new gem treasures. Thank you for visiting and I wish you a good weekend as well!
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What a busy week for you, Jan. I hope this upcoming one is paced a little better. Congratulations on the library success. You look so happy in the photo. I’m relieved to hear that your sister is on the mend–and even planning her next books! What an inspiration. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I do love talking with potential readers about my books and about writing in general. It’s always a good time. I hope this next week is paced a tad slower, too. I need to get back to work on my WIP!
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What a filled and exciting week you had, Jan!
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Am I allowed to say I’m tired, Erika? 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
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You definitely are, Jan. Enjoy yourself and recover well.
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Goodness, Jan, what a busy week you had. Continuing to keep your sister in my healing prayers. And I love Selenite! I have several and use them a lot. Have fun at the book fair! xo
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Thank you so much, Mary. I appreciate you keeping my sister in your healing prayers. I love Selenite, too and my grandchildren broke my last piece. 🙂 I’ll protect this one. I appreciate your comment!
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Jan, having you here with me for a few days was pure heaven. I know it took a lot of you to add me to your list of rounds so I appreciate it even more. I wish I could’ve been with you. I’ve only been to Bandera once and that was a long time ago. And I always love Cactus Mike. He’s a rare soul. Thank you so much for the piece of Azurite you brought to me. It’s so different from anything in my collection. These pesky health issues…I swear. But this is the last time. I’m going to be fine and write many more books. I’m not through yet. God isn’t through with me. Nope! Love you, sister.
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You are absolutely right, sister. And there are many praying for your full recovery! We will have to go back to Bandera someday. 🙂 It is a fun little town for sure, and a visit to Cactus Mike will have to be included. Lots to still do in this crazy life! I love you so much and am so glad I got to spend those treasured days with you!
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You said it. What a week. All the best to your sister, and good luck at the author’s event.
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Thank you, John! I appreciate you stopping by.
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I’m sorry to hear about your sister, Jan. I’ll certainly keep her and your family in my prayers. You look right at home behind the table of your accomplishments. What a great photo! xo
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Thank you, Jill. Prayers are appreciated and welcomed. Thanks for the kind words. Have a great weekend!
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My goodness, what a week. Love your new stones. And of course, I’m offering prayers for you and your family.
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I agree, Staci. What a week. Sure would love to have a weekend of downtime, but that isn’t in the cards for me this weekend. Thank you for the prayers. I believe in the power of prayer. Happy St. Paddy’s Day, and I hope you have a good weekend ahead!
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I believe in the power of prayer, too.
Have a great (and safe) weekend. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 💚 🍀
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You covered some miles! Thoughts and prayers for your sister. I love the name, Patchouli Joe.
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Thanks for leaving a comment, Joan. I appreciate the prayers and I know my sister does, too. I love the name Patchouli Joe, too. I may have to use it in a story sometime. 🙂
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Sounds like you were super busy. There’s always another post, so if you miss something you don’t have to worry. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
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Busy seems to be the name of the game for me, Craig, and I don’t see any signs of it slowing down anytime soon. You are right about there always being another post if I miss one. 🙂 That’s a great way of looking at it. Happy St. Paddy’s day to you, too, and thank you for leaving a comment today!
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That’s a long drive, Jan, but fantastic you got to see your old friend and sell a few books. The stones look great! Sorry about your sisters’ health problems, and sending love and hugs to you all. I hope you get chance for a rest at some point this weekend, my friend. 🤗💕🙂
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Oh, I hit enter before I could add, fantastic shoutout for Gwen’s fantastic book! 💖
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Thank you, Harmony. Rest would be welcome for sure. I appreciate the good vibes and will take all the hugs I can get. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment!
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Sounds like a busy time for you. I love your display. Sometimes we don’t get a good turnout but as long as some folks walked away with your books in their hands it’s good. Once I only sold three books, but one was to a teacher, who loved it and ordered a set for her class. My thoughts and prayers are for your dear sister. xo
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It seems that life is just busy and not slowing down anytime soon. You are right about not knowing whether or not people will show up for in-person events. And I’ve had some when I sold nothing, so I’ll take this one as a win. That’s great about the teacher ordering books for her class. That was a wonderful opportunity! Thank you for leaving a comment today!
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