Happy Friday. Is it me, or has this been a long week?
Even though this was the first week of spring, the temperatures here were cold, and it didn’t feel much like spring. However, today is warm, so maybe we’re done with the cold weather. My mom always used to say there would be an Easter spell. Guess we’ll see. I remember in 2007, when I lived in Coleman, it snowed on April 7th. Everything had already started budding out.
I spent the first part of this week taking care of my granddaughters while my daughter and son-in-law were out of town. I came home Tuesday evening exhausted. Don’t get me wrong. I love being with the kiddos. But they sure do take a lot of energy.
Remembering my tarot reading for the week, I embraced The Hermit card and took Wednesday as a self-care day. And it paid off. I’ve been productive and had energy since then. It’s so hard to take that kind of downtime. It makes me feel like a selfish person. Yet, sometimes it’s necessary.
Have you ever heard of a site called Storyworth? Around Christmas, my daughters purchased a year of access to Storyworth for me. They choose questions they want me to write about and share photos about. An example is a question they posed this week: “Which musician or band have you liked seeing live the most?”
That one was hard for me to answer, as live music is such an integral part of my life. But I recalled one concert in Shreveport, La, in 1982 that still to this day was hands-down the best concert ever. Charlie Daniels was doing his Window tour at that time. I still have the t-shirt. 🙂
As part of the tour, there was a jumbotron that ran raw footage from the VietNam war while Charlie performed the songs. It was so touching, plus an overall phenomenal production. I’ve never forgotten it. Of course, there is a list as long as my leg of musicians and bands that I have come to know and love, but that concert stands out above all the rest as far as the best show I ever saw.
Anyway, back to Storyworth – at the end of the year, all the questions, my answers, and photos I’ve scanned in will be compiled into a hardback book. It is a great way to preserve family memories, share secrets, and perhaps a bit of wisdom along the way. It’s a pretty awesome opportunity.
I am between reading books right now and concentrating on my current WIP. If I stay focused, I hope to have the first draft finished within the next 7 days. That’s my goal. So, I’m thrilled with the progress and the inspiration!
But I have some intriguing books lined up and waiting for me to indulge in. Sometimes I have a hard time choosing what to read next, but I have two NetGalley books that I am required to read and review, so those will be next. One is a Nora Roberts book. I haven’t read one of her books in years.
From the Story Empire group, Author John Howell was on a podcast Wednesday evening with the Fresh Ink Group, and it was a super entertaining interview! If you’d like to hear the replay, here is the LINK.
Also, if you missed my last Story Empire post, I wrote about ways to incorporate Tarot cards into fiction writing. Here’s the link to that post: https://storyempire.com/2023/03/17/metaphysical-elements-in-writing-tarot-cards-oracle-cards/
There will be no Friday Free-For-All next week as I will be working the first music festival of the season!
Outlaws and Legends takes place in Abilene, Texas, and is a festival I have been working for the past 8 years. While it’s exhausting, it’s also exhilarating, and I intend to keep doing it as long as my body holds out. The rewards? I work the VIP and Artist gate, so get to greet all the artists when they come into the festival grounds. It’s always wonderful to see old friends and get hugs. This picture was an epic moment for me when I got to meet Kris Kristofferson and issue him an armband.
This year, Willie Nelson is headlining Saturday night. I know there will be a huge turnout. The festival started out small, but every year it grows by leaps and bounds. It’s a highlight of my year.
Maybe I’ll come back with more photos. Who knows? I’ll be there for whatever occurs. 🙂
I hope everyone has had a positive week. I ask that you keep my sister in your thoughts and prayers as she underwent surgery yesterday to remove a kidney.
Take good care, remember to smile, and take a deep breath now and then.
Writing and Music 
I’m so glad you took a day to recoup, Jan. Not much time, but if it worked, it worked. And what a fun weekend you have planned! That sounds like great fun – music and old friends. Enjoy.
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Thanks, Diana. That one day did wonders for me. I’ve been working on my WIP and having some energy again. Just in time, too. 🙂 I appreciate you visiting.
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Enjoy the festival, Jan!
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Thanks, Dan!
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You do such fun things. That picture with Chris Christopherson is precious.
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I intend to enjoy the things in life I love as long as my body allows me to. 🙂 Getting to have my photo taken with Kris was a highlight for sure. Who knows what this year will bring.
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Kris Kristofferson–what a great voice. I take my pills every morning to his amazing song Me and Bobby McGee. Love that guy.
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Lol, Jacqui. I loved ‘Me and Bobby McGee,’ and no one covered it like Janis Joplin. Getting to have my picture taken with Kris was a highlight of my life for sure! He actually has an awful voice, but what a great writer and actor he is. He said once he’d been thrown out of more bars than he’d walked into when he tried to sing. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
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My husband dislikes his voice, too, but I like the grittiness. Sounds so natural for life.
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You have to take care of yourself before you can do anything else – good for you, Jan. Sounds like you’re in for a fun weekend – enjoy!
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The music festival is physically exhausting, but at the same time exhilarating! I have done this for 8 years, so I know my job inside and out and know how to plan ahead with plenty of protein drinks and B vitamins. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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I’m glad dome downtime helped. We all need that! Storyworth sounds like something we all could use. The festival sounds fun! Have a great time 🙂 Sending healing hugs to your sister for a fast recovery xo
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The downtime helped immensely, even though it nearly killed me to take it. 🙂 Storyworth is fun and is allowing me to tell some of my stories to be handed down to future generations. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the healing hugs!
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A terrific post, Jan. Thank you so much for the link to the show. So nice of you. I hope you enjoy the festival. Have a restful weekend
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It was a super fun show, John, and I was happy to share. Thank you for stopping by!
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😁
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I’ll keep positive thoughts your weather continues to stay warm and full of buds of spring, Jan. Enjoy your weekend and reading. Just finished a Nora Roberts trilogy and it was fabulous! I tend to enjoy her books with a paranormal twist.
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I love stories with paranormal twists, so I know I would love Nora’s. The one I have to read is Identity, and I haven’t really looked at it yet to see what it’s about. Thanks for stopping by and for the positive thoughts!
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It was so warm over the past few days, but this changes from today on. On Monday we may even get some snow again.
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Mother Nature is unpredictable for sure, Erika. Stay warm and comfy. Thanks for stopping by!
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We will. I am actually glad when the weather goes down, then I don’t need to start working in the garden… which is so necessary but I don’t find the time to do so… lol
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My mother said the same thing, Jan. 🙂 I’ll continue to hold your sister in my prayers. Have a wonderful time at the festival. I love the photo of you and Kris!
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Since Easter comes late this year, I am hoping that ‘spell’ has already happened. 🙂 Thank you for the prayers. I’m anxiously awaiting an update on my sister this morning. That photo is one I treasure, Jill. Thank you so much for stopping by!
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My Mom always said we would have an Easter spell. I hope what we had earlier this week was the last of the cold weather, but I’m not holding my breath. I recall it snowing in both late March and early April.
I haven’t heard of Storyworth, but that sounds like a fabulous idea! have fun at the music fest!
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I am hoping the same thing, Joan, about the cold weather. Easter comes late this year. 🙂 Storyworth is turning out to be a fun way to share bits and pieces of life with family. I can’t wait to see it all put together in a book. Thank you for stopping by! Have a great weekend!
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Whew! Sounds like a busy week with more coming. You look pretty happy in that picture.
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I am not easily star-struck, Craig, but when they pulled away from my gate, I was trembling. It’s a moment I will never forget. Thanks for stopping by!
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Busy week!
Storyworth sounds like a fabulous gift for a writer. Or anyone. I can’t wait until you receive your book and share with us.
Have fun at the festival. And continued prayers for your sister.
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Thank you, Staci. I very much appreciate the prayers for my sister. I’m anxiously awaiting an update on her this morning. Have a good weekend!
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Nora Roberts…and so many more books by wonderful authors! It would be a wonderful and magical experience to re-read all the books that I enjoyed or that left a deep impression. I recently re-read “Cinderella” for a presentation I was doing. What an incredible story…so many lessons she taught me.
Jan, enjoy your time in Abilene.
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Oh, you are so right, Karen. When I was a teenager, I devoured every Kathleen Woodwiss book I could find. It would be fun to re-read them as an adult. But there are so many new books out I want to read, I doubt I’ll ever go backward. Thank you for your comment today. Hugs!
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