Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I enjoyed spending Mother’s Day with my daughters and grandchildren. There’s nothing better!
This quote from Tennessee Williams touched me, and I hope it will you as well.
There are so many wonderful meditations on YouTube to choose from, and I found a new source today.
Our weekly reading indicates a mixture of possible events.
Photo by Jan Sikes
The Two of Cups indicates a partnership or sharing of ideas and emotions. The meeting of two brings balance and harmony to a nurturing relationship. This card indicates you are ready to or have taken an existing connection to a deeper level. The lion symbolizes passion and protection from above, while the caduceus evokes balance in communication.
The Sun always brings clarity and enthusiasm. Often the sun will appear after a dark period, illuminating murky situations and dispelling confusion and doubt. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child or connecting to your own inner child is a rewarding and productive way to utilize this card’s energy. The Sun card brings renewed vitality and improved health. Be on the lookout for any opportunities that may come your way, as they may prove to be very beneficial.
The Six of Swords is often referred to as The Ferryman card. It is indicative of moving forward on a healing journey, leaving behind what no longer works for you. And you are not alone. While the water is choppy on one side of the boat, what lies ahead on the other side is peaceful and serene. It’s not always easy to make this journey and release old patterns. But the effort is worthwhile, and it’s comforting to know we are never alone. This card may also indicate physical travel.
MY TAKEAWAY:
The Two of Cups describes my Mother’s Day yesterday. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and deepen our connection through honest communication and sharing of love. I’m always happy to see The Sun card as it dispels darkness and brings optimism and clarity. And when can we not use that? I need it every day! We’ve had the Six of Swords before, and it is always a sign of moving forward and releasing the past. I love that we are moving toward something better. That should always be our goal in life.
What about you? Do any of these cards speak to you?
I started out writing today’s post about the mass shooting at the Allen, Texas, outlet mall last weekend, only to delete what I’d written. The mall is literally 5 miles down the road from where I live. What a horrific event. So many innocent lives were lost, and for what?
I don’t understand the heavy darkness that takes over a person’s mind, body, and soul causing such senseless slaughter. Nor, do I want to start any negative controversy. So here is my prayer.
For our beautiful planet, let’s keep positive, loving thoughts flowing as we visualize a peaceful world.
And since Sunday is Mother’s Day, here’s a small tribute to my mother, who left us in 2004. She worked hard all her life and had little to show for it, but her smile could light up a room, and she could make a peach cobbler that would melt in your mouth.
Her name was Marian. Almost everyone who knew her called her Granny, and she never let anyone leave her house hungry. I wrote this song for her shortly after she passed away.
It’s time for another Monday post that I hope you will find inspiring! I love this quote!
And this meditation left me feeling relaxed and confident!
Now for some guidance from the Tarot cards.
Photo by Jan Sikes
This is a feel-good draw for the week ahead. The Ten of Cups basically represents a celebration of some sort. I had two pretty big celebrations over the weekend, so it is fitting for me. Another interpretation is a culmination of emotional fulfillment, which opens the gateway to the next adventure. Emotional fulfillment looks different for each individual at different stages in their life. So, take a minute to think about what that means to you. If you have longstanding family issues, this card indicates a positive resolution. Enjoy the sensation of feeling secure with your overall well-being, and make time to celebrate your successes with people who feel like family. The number ten indicates the completion of a cycle. One cycle is ending so that another may begin.
The Strength card is pretty straightforward. It reminds us that it’s not the size of our muscles but the willingness within our hearts that matters. When we show courage, we can endure any obstacles we encounter. You can trust yourself to handle any situation that arises. The infinity symbol on the card indicates we are all capable of overcoming struggles both internally and externally. Whether you’re making changes in your life or working to reach the next deepest level of your connection with the divine, you have what it takes to face and overcome any challenges with bravery trusting your inner strength.
The Three of Wands can indicate an adventure that lies ahead. You use your energy to work with others. Surrounding yourself with inspiring people will help you expand to the next level of personal growth. There may be an element of waiting for the right opportunity to come to you, but you are reminded to be creative and productive, allowing expanded prosperity to grow. This card can also often indicate travel of some kind.
MY TAKEAWAY:
On a personal level, the celebration card fits my weekend perfectly. I took my books to the guitar show on Saturday, then celebrated my youngest grandson’s birthday on Sunday. I love that it is a completion and gateway card. It’s always exciting to see what the next adventure might be. And it’s comforting to know we have what it takes to overcome challenges, whether internal or external, with courage. Then be aware of opportunities for your next adventure that will expand growth. Sounds like a great week ahead to me!
Thoughts? Does this reading resonate with you in any way?
And this Angel oracle card is perfect for spring cleaning season!
I hope you all had a great week and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend. It’s my youngest grandson’s birthday this weekend. and we are celebrating him on Sunday.
Connor is such an incredible little boy. He is turning nine and is so smart. Last year he became obsessed with our world. He memorized every country, the country’s flag, and the capital of each one. He can spout it all off at the drop of a hat.
This is a photo of us taken on New Year 2023. He has the bluest eyes!
Fingers crossed that I’ll sell a few. This is a huge event drawing in people from around the world. This will be the second time I’ve taken my books in hopes of finding new readers. Wish me luck!
I have to take just a minute to rant a little. I do not like to rant, and I hate even more to whine. I live in a fourth-story apartment with a balcony. I’ve been here six years (which blows my mind), and for six years, I have fought pigeons.
Don’t get me wrong. I do not hate birds. I think they are beautiful and see them as messengers, but pigeons. Well, first of all, they are nasty and leave poop behind everywhere they go. So, to solve the problem, I recently put garden netting all around my balcony. That worked like a charm. But now the apartment manager is insisting I take it down, which I’ve done. My question to you is this: Do you know anything that will repel pigeons and keep them off my balcony? I already have an owl, and they ignore him. I’m at my wit’s end with these birds. Suggestions are welcome!
I started reading Sue Coletta’s latest book, Restless Mayhem, this week. And while it is the sixth book in the series, I haven’t found myself too lost yet. I love that the story delves deep into Native American tradition and lore. My review will be coming soon.
Last week I mentioned I had an upcoming podcast interview and promised to share the link when it was available. Well, here you go. I hope you enjoy it!
On the writing front, I’m attempting to get caught up on the Storyworth questions my daughters have sent. I got behind while finishing the novella. You may remember that I talked about this before. It’s a great platform and a wonderful way to record family stories for future generations. One of the questions waiting for me to answer is, “Do you believe in ghosts?” That will be a fun one to write. Not only do I believe, but I’ve seen, so I’ll be sharing that.
My oldest grandson got a new camera and took some photos of me last Sunday. I shared them on FB with a poll to vote for the best one. This is the one the majority chose.
I love that we got some of my books in the background!
That’s it from me this week. I hope everyone has a fantabulous weekend ahead!
As a long-time student of Tarot, this book caught my eye. What I found between the pages is a fresh new look at the practical everyday use of tarot cards presented in a truly profound way. I love that the book is divided into eight sections. Starting with Love, the author shares a deeply personal story and journey. The following sections, Purpose, Healing, Change, Truth, and Hope, give the reader a detailed look at ways to utilize the major arcana in a tarot deck to help flesh out the answers to these universal questions. I found the writing to be superb and easy to read and follow. The final section, The Modern World of Tarot, takes everything shared earlier in the book and gives practical applications that anyone could find helpful and inspiring. The book is put together in such a way that it does not require linear reading. I love that about it. I went to the sections that appealed to me on my personal journey and found exactly what I needed to find in each segment. This book is a great tool for anyone just starting out with reading tarot cards as well as the seasoned reader, as it offers a different approach to enhancing daily life. I will be purchasing the paperback format of this book to add to my library.
This book has two elements I love in a story—a ghost and a budding romance. The book opens with Cooper Davis not understanding why Sage won’t talk to him or even acknowledge his presence. It takes a long minute for him to realize he is dead. He perished in a shipwreck in the frigid Bering Sea, even though Sage had begged him not to go. Sage is grieving, but she’s ready to move forward with a big dream she shared with Cooper. They’d planned on purchasing a cabin on a lake and turning it into a Bed & Breakfast. The motivation for Cooper taking the job on the boat was to finally get the downpayment they needed to make that happen. Now Sage is forced to continue alone. But she can’t do it by herself. She needs some serious help with repairs before it can ever be ready for guests. Enter Noah Finnley. Noah is a down-on-his-luck, out-of-work carpenter on the verge of getting evicted from his apartment. Sage makes him an offer he can’t refuse, and he joins her as a partner in the B&B. There’s only one major hitch. Noah can see and communicate with ghosts. The conversations he has with Cooper are, at times, humorous, and, at other times, they take a turn toward violence as Cooper sees Noah as an intruder and a threat to his alpha male position in Sage’s life. After all, Cooper had promised Sage he’d never leave her. It doesn’t matter that he’s dead. He selfishly refuses to think of Sage moving on without him. I love all the different complex layers this story takes on when Cooper’s father is brought into the mix, not to mention the local sheriff, Richard. I don’t want to leave any spoilers here, but I will say if you are up for a good ghost story with a heavy dose of romance, this is the story for you!
This collection of short stories is unusual, covering several different genres and all with satisfying endings, which is no easy feat for short stories. In this book, you’ll find everything from a character finding exhilarating freedom to terror in an earthquake (with which California residents are all too familiar) to chilling ghost stories, sci-fi, and so much more. I’m hard-pressed to pick any favorites from this collection, but I’ll give it a try. I Loved “End of the Road.” You see, I believe there are angels watching over us and there to give us nudges when we need them. “Lyrical Dragon” is so cleverly written. The dragon communicates in haikus, which this author does extremely well. An excellent sci-fi story, “The Playdate,” takes an unexpected twist, leaving the reader gasping. “The Bike” is a heartwarming story of generosity and forgiveness. The 99-word flash fiction pieces are so enjoyable and well done. If you are looking for a collection of short stories that has something for everyone’s reading palate, this is the book for you! I highly recommend it!
It’s no secret I am a huge fan of C.S. Boyack’s speculative fiction writing. But this book tops the list for me. Mari White returns to the farm one morning after hunting for meat for the family to find her husband and only child brutally slain and the house turned upside down. On top of that, they even killed the ox they’d used for farming. Life is hard enough in the apocalyptic setting without the marauders adding to the already astronomical difficulties of trying to rebuild after the 2nd World War that destroyed everything. She reports the murders to the local sheriff, only he brushes her off, saying he has bigger problems than her murdered family. Mari is hell-bent on revenge. The men who destroyed her world have to pay. Examining the tracks leading away from the farm, she gathers the one onery ox that hadn’t been killed and hooks him to a wagon that, from the author’s description, is more like the back end of a pickup truck. She sets off to find them with only a 22 rifle and a knife that had belonged to her husband. The journey is long and tedious through Florida swamp land filled with deadly creatures, both animal and human. The author does a fabulous job of describing the scattered remnants of society, destroyed roads, and numerous unforgettable characters as the story unfolds. Each character Mari encounters has something to offer. If I had to pick a favorite side character, it would be Kelilah. She nurses Mari back to health after the same horrible men attack and rape her, then leave her for dead. Not only does Kelilah help Mari heal, but she also teaches her valuable lessons on ways to defend herself with a knife. I love that quarters are the money system in this dystopian society, and white dog is the liquor of choice. There were times along this journey when all hope seemed lost. Mari developed a keen sense of smell and could tell by sniffing a man’s saddle where he’d been or if a deer had recently crossed the path. That ability served her well. A stray dog she named Worthless tugged at my heart as well as the stubborn ox, Dirt. Her relationship with the ox didn’t start out on good terms, but she figured out how to control him with her small son’s whistle and a bucket of figs. The story is told in first person through Mari’s point of view, so it is up close and personal. The progression of the story is steady, and it kept me engaged throughout. I rooted for Marisol White and wanted her to find what she sought. If you like to be entertained and are a fan of dystopian fiction, this is the book for you. I can highly recommend it!
I chose to read this beautiful book of poetry on the anniversary of my husband’s passing. I found exquisite poetry from the author’s heart that expressed so much of what I was feeling. While we never stop missing our loved ones, we can hold the memories close. This author lists the birth and death dates of three family members at the beginning of the book, so you know right away this is a deeply personal expression.
Here’s one example of the striking poetry you’ll find in this book:
this wasn’t supposed to happen this final indignity this querulous voice this hollow-eyed stare this startled shuffle this bemused bobble this timorous tremor this unreasoning hope for life
If you have lost someone you love, are seeking healing, or even just confirming words, you will enjoy this book of poetry. The photos the author includes add to the personal expressions.
Welcome to another Monday post. I sincerely hope you leave with some inspiration for the week ahead.
The meditation I’m sharing today is a live global event, bringing souls together all over the world for the sole purpose of having the maximum positive effect on humanity. Click on the link below for a guided option.
POWERFUL GLOBAL SYNCHRONIZED MEDITATION THAT WILL TAKE PLACE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALL OVER THE WORLD ON MAY 1ST, 2023 FROM 17:06 UTC.
The time conversion puts it at 12:06 pm CST, and I will be joining in. I hope wherever you are, you can also participate.
The tarot cards couldn’t be more spot-on for me today, and I hope they will be for you as well.
Photo by Jan Sikes
With the Three of Swords, you are given the opportunity to embrace and acknowledge heartbreaking truths and the pain surrounding them. It could either be related to a current situation or in the past. The position it sits in indicates the past (especially to me, as this is the 14th anniversary of my husband’s passing). However, the advice is to open your heart and mind, and your intuition will guide you. Accept your emotions with compassion and take this opportunity to release and heal. Leaning on your spiritual practice will help you through times of sadness. That is a fact to which I can attest.
The World from the major arcana is all about the end of a cycle. The advice from this card is to celebrate your wins and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Celebrate where you are now and reflect on your journey so far. There is excitement around what is yet to come, and you are ready to begin a new journey from a place of empowerment and maturity.
The Two of Swords may indicate a period of indecision. It may be a painful period of trying to figure out what to do next and being afraid you’ll make the wrong choice. You can move into self-protective mode. If you ask for advice and support, perhaps it will ease your mind. Yet, ultimately, listening to your own intuition and taking action on your own will provide the relief and clarity you seek. Perhaps you’ve been protecting yourself from pain due to fears that stem from experiences in the past. Taking time to gather your thoughts before moving forward is always good. You can make courageous choices if you can trust yourself.
MY TAKEAWAY:
Where do I start? I feel this reading was just for me, but as I pulled the cards, I prayed for something to share with everyone. Still, it fits me so perfectly now on the anniversary of Rick’s death. The pain and heartache are real, as indicated in the Three of Swords, but it also doesn’t have to be crippling. Think about how far you’ve come on your journey and celebrate your wins. (Okay, I think I will) Then moving forward with your next step need not be something to fear. I love the words, ‘make courageous choices and trust yourself.’
What say you? Does this reading apply to you at all?
The Angel card brought tears to my eyes. I swear, you cannot make this stuff up. I could not have orchestrated any of this. It just happened.
Happy Friday. This has been an incredibly busy week, and I’m looking forward to the weekend!
I went for the CT Scan of the carotid arteries this week, and the report came back clear—no blockage, no plaque—all clear. That is great news, and it puts me back at square one with the big question of what may have caused the health scare. I’m going to chalk it up to either vertigo or a virus and move along. I do pray that it never happens again!
I want to offer a huge Thank You to everyone who took the time to vote for Saddled Hearts in the RONE Reader’s Choice Awards!
There will be one more round of voting IF Saddled Hearts makes it into the finals. Fingers crossed!
On the writing front, I am super excited about an upcoming writer’s conference in July. It’s in Ireland! Ireland Writer Tours is not just a regular conference but also combined with tours. I first heard about this conference last year, but by the time I looked into it, it was already full. They only take twelve authors, so it’s small and intimate. When it was announced this year, I immediately registered. It wasn’t until they knew they had twelve authors that it all came together. My daughters generously paid the fee, thank goodness, and I got in the queue. Now we know it is filled and going to happen! I have my airline ticket and am set to go.
Why Ireland? Of all the countries outside the U.S., Ireland, and Scotland are the only places I’ve ever really wanted to visit. My ancestors migrated from there, and somehow I just know there is something waiting for me when I go. Along with the conference are tours of the area, castles, landmarks, and historic sites. The conference is in a small village outside Galway. I will leave Dallas on July 7th and return on the 17th. It is truly a trip of a lifetime!
I just started reading the latest book from C.S. Boyack. Once Upon A Time In The Swamp is a standalone. I haven’t gotten very far into it yet, but I can already tell I am in for a very entertaining read! Have you picked it up yet?
This time of year is often difficult for me, as fourteen years ago, my husband, Rick, was nearing the end of his time on Earth. Hospice had put him into a drug-induced coma and transported him home from the hospital. I had already turned our living room into a hospital room, so everything was ready.
I’ll never forget that first night, after all the hospice personnel left, and it was just me and him. They hadn’t given him enough medication to keep him under, and all night he kept trying to get out of bed. I know he had things he thought he needed to tend to, but of course, he couldn’t do any of it. It was one of the most miserable nights I’ve ever spent. I felt so helpless. All I could do was keep him from falling out of the bed.
Of course, when morning came, and I called them, hospice came right away and administered enough drugs to put him all the way under, and that’s where he stayed until he passed on the morning of May 1st. Monday is May 1st, and my regular post might be a little different or might not happen at all. I go with what Spirit moves me to do. I always hope for a visit from him, some sign that he’s still around.
I’m not looking for pity or even sympathy. Death is a part of life. Of course, we never EVER stop grieving for lost loved ones. A part of me died with him on that day. I don’t dwell on the hard times or bad times. I choose to remember the love we shared and the many, many good times we had.
Rick and Jan Sikes 2007
I am blessed to have so much of his music, his writings, and his artwork that keep him and his memory alive. One of my greatest joys was singing harmony with him. I sure do miss the music part of our lives.
Here’s a fun and intimate little video of some of our homespun music.
That’s it from me for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
It is with great pleasure I open my blog site to an author I have known for many years, D.L. Finn. She is not only a fabulous poet and storyteller but has a wonderful attitude and outlook on life. She embraces her inner child and nature, and it all comes alive through her stories. She is a fellow Story Empire contributor, as well as an active reader and reviewer. Please make her feel welcome!
Thank you, Jan, for having me on your blog today to share my latest release, In the Tree’s Shadow.
“End of the Road” weaves in some personal experiences. Like the main character, Kelly, in the story, there was a time after my mom passed when I took care of my stepfather, who lived three hours away. I was a caretaker for someone who had treated me badly growing up because of his PTSD and drinking, just like Kelly. I made that drive home full of anxiety more than once, but I had one thing she didn’t have—a loving home to return to.
This story came from what-if it was bad on both sides of that drive. Kelly had two sons, but they now lived with her cheating ex-husband. She resided in a house she hated and felt alone. Then little things began to happen that got her attention and nudged her in the right direction.
Feathers and flashing lights are some of the little things that happened to her. I have experienced both and am convinced it is a message from the other side that things will be okay. Kelly learns that sometimes things get very dark before the light is visible.
BLURB:
A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.
Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.
EXCERPT:
My eyes blurred, jolting me from my trancelike state into reality. In the darkness before me, the two-lane highway beckoned me home. Its reflectors tapped in to my idle imagination. All I had to do was pull up on my steering wheel, and my car would take off like an airplane whose destination would be my private island away from it all. I could relax for those few seconds as I flew over the precipice. I was turning the steering wheel toward the cliff when a bright light blinded me. My foot slammed on the brake pedal. The car skidded to the side of the road in a cloud of dust as a feather landed on my windshield.
“What was that? A spaceship?” A shudder coursed through me. My heart pounded against my chest. I peered into the night. Nothing. The cliff was right next to me, bathed in the moonlight. I sucked in air, trying to make sense of what had happened. Would I be at the bottom of the canyon if I hadn’t seen that flash?
Another white feather landed on my windshield. I hoped I was under a tree or utility line where a bird might be perched. I wasn’t.
“Maybe an owl or . . . ” I carefully got out of the car and retrieved the two feathers. It was me, my old Subaru, and the road. No alien invasion in sight. “I must be seeing things.”
The cool air cleared my head. I didn’t want to die, even if the thought had crossed my mind. I was almost entirely sure I wouldn’t have done it. But I didn’t have time to reflect on that as I studied the two white feathers in my hand. A message from the angels. Isn’t that what my grandma used to say? She had told me solemnly to pay attention when I saw them unexpectedly.
Read an excerpt from D.L. Finn’s new short story collection. A #NewRelease of eclectic #shortstories! #excerpt #fiction #paranormal #readerfostwitter via @dlfinnauthor
Our first house was haunted. At one point, I was pushed down the stairs carrying my daughter and pregnant with our second daughter. We were all fine, but we moved soon after that.
I can clearly hear an angel singing one of my husband’s songs. It has inspired me to write poetry and perhaps write about angels.
BIO:
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
Welcome back to another Monday of inspiration. I hope you leave uplifted and ready to tackle a new week. I fell in love with this simple quote. It makes so much sense to me.
Here’s a meditation to help you gain your footing. Jason Stephenson is one of my favorite meditation guides.
The tarot cards today are very powerful. Two are from the Major Arcana, affecting our lives below the surface.
Photo by Jan Sikes
The High Priestess is the second card in the Major Arcana. She is like the moon and sees through the darkness, illuminating what is hidden. She reminds us that all we need to know is already within us. Connecting to the divine is an internal, not an external, process. You have the ability to connect with and commune with your higher self at any time. The High Priestess urges you to clear your mind and ask your heart for the answers you seek. You are encouraged to follow intuitive urges when making financial and business decisions, even if you’re tempted to investigate endlessly. You have the answers you need without relying on other people’s opinions. Intuition and self-knowledge are the keywords.
The Chariot is a symbol of building momentum and creating your plan of action. It is possible that you are embarking on an important journey (literal or virtual) or moving toward the next level of your life goals. You are asked to have a clear intention, focus, and a plan for taking action. Building a solid foundation and creating structure are both necessary steps before making a big decision. Now is the time to take inspired action toward your goals. Success comes with focus, determination, and clear intention.
With the Knight of Pentacles, we are minded that the quest for prosperity moves slowly and steadily. True success is a long game, so there is no need to rush the process. There is no get-rich scheme indicated with this card. Solid effort daily will yield the most lasting and meaningful results. Sometimes these turn into mundane tasks, but I am reminded of the tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady wins the race. You are encouraged to show up fully and enthusiastically in all areas of your life. If you’re waiting for a return on investment, be patient and stay on task. Long-term abundance and steady progress are the keywords for this card.
MY TAKEAWAY:
When I consider that we have two Major Arcana cards this week, the reading takes on a deeper meaning, as they affect big life events and important lessons. Relying on intuition is a huge part of the message, as well as having a clear intention, focus, and determination. What is it you genuinely seek? Know that returns on daily investment of your time, your energy, and your knowledge come slowly but are lasting.
Happy Friday! I have had a busy but productive week and managed to get in a bit of celebrating. (If you didn’t see my Monday tarot reading, take a look here.) I’m happy to say the reading was spot-on for me this week.
First off, an update on the health scare I had last week. I saw my doctor on Wednesday. They did an EKG, took my vitals, and reported that all looked within the normal range, nothing out of the ordinary. The only other follow-up to that is scheduling a CT scan of the carotid arteries. If that comes back clear, I am left with a mystery as to what caused the frightening incident last week. I shrug my shoulder. Who knows? These bodies are such complex machines with lots of working parts, and if any tiny part goes haywire, it throws the entire machine out of whack. I’m happy to report no other dizzy spells. Onward and upward.
My latest novel, Saddled Hearts, is up for a RONE Reader’s Award. Many of you have already voted, and I am deeply grateful. If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, please take a minute to do so. Saddled Hearts is at the bottom of the list under the suspense category. Follow this link to cast your vote! RONE AWARDS VOTING. Thank you!
On the writing front, I finished a novella this week that I’ve been working on for a while (as in way too long). I swear, I seem to get slower and slower at writing. But I suppose it doesn’t really matter in the big scope of things. I’m not at liberty yet to make any announcement about the new story as it is part of a collaboration, but nevertheless, I’m celebrating writing “The End!”
Of course, I have a new project to start (don’t we always?). And then there’s the issue of what to do with the historical fiction novel I’ve had finished for a while. There is no lack of things to do, EVER! And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I enjoyed a visit with my oldest sister this past Sunday. She is such an amazing lady at 87. Despite her declining health and moving into hospice, her attitude is upbeat and positive. We laughed and reminisced. She told me she wanted to learn to play Skip-Bo. She has always been someone I look up to and admire, and that hasn’t changed. If you’ve read my true story series, you’ll know her as Norma. I’m so glad I got to spend some time with her and will go back again soon, if at all possible.
I made a very cool discovery on Canva this week. I have used this app for several years and love it for all things related to graphics. My daughter had a logo created for a new cabin they’re building in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Here’s the original logo:
She wanted the words ‘Hummingbird Hideway’ removed and the word ‘Welcome’ added so she could have a metal sign created to hang at the entrance of the cabin. I had no idea if I could do it, but I discovered Canva has a Magic Eraser! That’s right. A Magic Eraser. And it worked like a charm. It took me all of ten minutes to create what she needed. This is how it turned out:
I love finding new things that work! The other thing I learned this week, thanks to the genius of Staci Troilo, is that you can create a Tweet box within the body of your blog posts. You can see below I’ve done that, so you can see how it works. Thank you, Staci! Have any of you found anything really cool this week?
On the entertainment front, I have finally finished watching Breaking Bad. I started watching it because my oldest grandson loves the series and asked me to watch it so we could talk about it. I will bend over backward to do almost anything the grandkids ask of me. Anyway, now I’m back to reading and, according to my Goodreads Challenge, need to catch up. 🙂
The book I’m currently reading is so good and different. Winter Song has two things I love to find in a story—a ghost and a budding romance. My review will be coming soon, as will my review for D.L. Finn’s new collection of short stories, In the Tree’s Shadow: A collection of stories that exist in your dreams… and nightmares. I will be posting all of my reviews for April soon!
What are you reading? I’d love to know.
I hope you have plans for a great weekend ahead. I am going to be a guest on a podcast tomorrow morning at 10:30 am via Zoom. It isn’t a live show, but I will share the link to the show whenever I have it.
That’s it for me today. Thanks for stopping by and indulging my meanderings.
Celebrating #writing #reading, and learning new things! #FridayForAll #RONEAward #writingcommunity #readingcommunity @jansikes3
Writing and Music 
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