My Christmas Novella Takes Flight

 

I don't feel I've written a book unless I take it on tour with WOW! Women On Writing, and A Wingman for Christmas is no exception. Online tour starts November 28th. Here is a link to the kickoff and dates I'll stop by to chat!

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2022/11/a-wingman-for-christmas-by-barbara.html

Book Launch "A Wingman For Christmas" at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts

 

My official book launch for "A Wingman for Christmas" at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts. A perfect setting at my favorite place. All sales rang up as a donation for the Art Center. A glorious day filled with friendship.

Chicken Love - No Not A Recipe Post - An Art Post

 

I really wanted chickens, but with all my Chihuahuas, decided it was best to let that idea fly the coop. Instead, I started painting my ladies with their pet hens and roosters. Above are two of my favorites. They have since sold.

One of my favorite books, and I have to say I'm a proud owner of it, is Once Upon a Flock: Life With My Soulful Chickens by Lauren Scheuer. It is delightful with her experiences and drawings added on top of photos. A gem on Amazon.

A Rabbit Loves His Monroe Mug

 

One of our biggest sellers at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts are Rebecca's Monroe mugs. I decided I needed to do a little mug of my own, but on canvas. A favorite rabbit is enjoying a steaming cup of java in his Monroe mug. Painting is hanging on my wall. Couldn't part with it. I did have some greeting cards made, so that's a plus!

The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain A Favorite Book

 

I read this book a few years ago and it stands out as one of my favorites. 

Reviews on Amazon:

Described as 'Parisian perfection' by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, The Red Notebook is a charming, quirky love story from one of the UK's favourite French authors.

'The very quintessence of French romance' The Times

And the storyline from Amazon:

Bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street, and feels impelled to return it to its owner. The bag contains no money, phone or contact information. But a small red notebook with handwritten thoughts and jottings reveals a person that Laurent would very much like to meet. Without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions?

I love quirky books, small books, memoirs on life - but not Hollywood tell alls. This book charmed me and ended too soon. As we all know, it's sad when a good book ends. I've reread it several times and now our book club will read it. This makes me smile.

Age Is Only A State of Mind Until McAfee Does A Clean Sweep

 

I'm not getting old. Trying to be a legend in my mind. Painting SOLD

I woke up this morning energized. Not from a good night's sleep but from a feeling of well-being. Getting my house in order for Christmas. Little touches here and there, well everywhere as it turns out. I am not sure I understand the words 'cut back'. My friendly handyman came over yesterday, cleaned the gutters of leaves and the back fenced area for the dogs is now a clean, no leaves, and for a brief moment a no poop haven for them again. They've already left their mark. Much to my joy. My two new boys are finally housebroken! The sun warmed me as I walked out on my tiny patio. So enthralled with the quiet in the air around me that let me listen to the earth's voice, I wanted to write something deep. Moving. How the sound of silence gives room to think. I came in, plopped in front of my computer. Coffee by my side. And then it began.

McAfee had done a clean sweep of my computer. Closing all my apps. Sending me into a panic. I couldn't get on blogger. Didn't remember my passwords. I have some old blogs and new blogs all under different email addresses. All different passwords. My mind went blank. I couldn't remember what Gmail address this blog used. So I started one by one going to each and updating passwords. I found a blog I'd forgotten from ten years ago. A private place where I whined and illustrated with photos from the turn of the century. I'll go back and read that later. My name there was Let Them Eat Cake (after a favorite perfume). Or maybe it was off with their heads. It's a moody blog.

I finally got myself here. Yay! But not without a cost. I woke up feeling so young and gleeful. Now I feel somewhat senile, confused, and once again I've had to make lists of my passwords. It's not that they are gone. It's just that McAfee closed all my open tabs and with that grand gesture to save my privacy, I had to remember or recreate passwords to sign back in. Recreate is easier. So now, I've got some mighty fine passwords to try to remember. haha.

Actually, I keep my passwords on a sheet of paper by my computer. It works well. Unless you are drinking an iced drink and place your glass on the paper. Some of the words are now colorful streaks in red and green. Holiday colors for the season. I think it's time to redo that sheet. It's been a victim of earlier McAfee cleansing, so old passwords are scratched thru and new ones entered. I have trouble figuring out which password goes with which account. It's a game that truly keeps my mind focused. 

McAfee has caused another problem for me. I haven't fed the dogs yet. They are pacing around my desk. I'm in trouble. But when you want to write it's hard to wait. Maybe later today or tomorrow I'll share my holiday thoughts. There would have been lovely photos and sentiments here today. But you have McAfee to thank for this post!

What Have I Learned?

 

Sitting here this afternoon surrounded by my dogs and feeling rather lazy, I thought back to my first years as a widow (just turning sixty) and today at, and trust me, I can't remember, am I 72 or 73? Oh my, I think it's 73. I have trouble remembering because of my last memoir. A tribute to turning 70 but late in self-publishing because of a broken elbow. A year off in my age doesn't matter, but my reflections do. I constantly ask myself what have I learned at this ripe and still growing stage of my life.

Not much, yet plenty!

I still don't know how to say no to buying a cupboard I have no room for or money to spend on it. Toss in a primitive farm table to show how naughty this can be. 

I still can't say no to adopting dogs in need which became my passion as a new widow. Six dogs are my limit, but I swear I still see little dogs that make me think...maybe seven is a good cutoff. But my two new boys are so needy I can't cheat on them or the other four. Chihuahuas demand your time!

I still run my charges up like a windfall is coming to pay them off.

And every day I tell myself I will eat healthier. Start an exercise program. But I never do. There is something comforting about potato chips and onion dip, like being wrapped in an old quilt, only don't drop the dip. Or a pizza when I watch a Hallmark Movie (throwback to my youth). And let's not forget Mexican. I shared a meme on Facebook a few weeks ago. . . "I've never been sad in a Mexican restaurant." How true is that!

I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg, but you get my drift.

At 72 or 73 I've stopped thinking I might change. I haven't in all these years so what would make me do it now? Are all those things on my list so bad? Antiques, dogs, charging (but I shop local and antique, supporting artists and recycling treasures from the past), and fun food. (It doesn't hurt to have Pepcid close by). 

I've slowed down and learned to smell the roses (cliche I know). But I have. And it's delicious. It's just me and my dogs and they don't ask questions. They only stare me down when it's dinner time.

Here is what I've learned. I'm not going to change all I've listed above. So relax and enjoy. But the biggies are: Follow my heart on what I love. Support my friends and family. Be kind to others. One day at a time. Maybe that was the hardest, one day at a time. I've stopped worrying "what if" or looking ahead to what might be. Be here now. I used to think that was a hippie phrase (and I wanted to be a hippie but never quite got there. Never cool as a teen.) But it is a good life plan. Be here now and make the most of it. 

That doesn't mean I don't plan, but my plans have to do with my art, writing, dogs. The things I enjoy and work on daily.

Keywords to live by - Kindness, Caring, Love, Friendship, Family. 

I like to kid when I interrupt a conversation, "Hey, it's all about me now!" and then I add my two cents worth. But it's not all about me. It's about all of us and how we treat each other. I try to live up to that daily although if you know me well, I do slip and have a snarky moment! Can't be perfect all the time!

I feel blessed with all that is in my life. It's different than I imagined when I was younger, but it fits me well now. And I hope I live up to the ideal of being there for others, supporting friends. Just don't ask me for the last slice of pizza.

This post is brought to you by a happy moment I'm in. I plan to stay happy for the rest of today. There could be nachos in the evening hour.