Reflections on the A to Z Blogging Challenge and other news

I did participate in this year’s challenge although there were times that I wondered if I’d finish.  I wasn’t able to write any posts ahead this year due to my work schedule, so I winged it pretty much and usually wrote them the night before. 

Also due to time restraints and no linky list this year, I didn’t get to visit many blogs.  I really wanted to and probably would have if we had the list.  It just makes people easier to find on the World Wide Web.  But I know why the moderators changed that this year.  They almost had to because there’s really no way to monitor a list that size on a daily basis to make sure everyone’s posting.  This is too bad and unfortunate.

I’ll look up some past blogs when I get a chance and see if they participated this year.  Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so busy all the time.  This would be a lot easier to do.

On another note, I’ll be leaving to visit family out of state this coming Tuesday.  I may not be able to get on the internet much while I’m gone.  I have to take that day-by-day.  Usually family can run you ragged with all the people to see and places to go as the days quickly tick by.  It’s been almost five years since I’ve been home, so it’s time.  Everyone is growing up and Mama is now living in a nursing home.  Her dementia is getting worse.  I’m sure seeing her will be a shock, but I have to do this before much more time goes by.  None of us are getting any younger.  I just hope she still remembers me.  May’s a good month to go because she just had her 86^th birthday.  I missed that but will be there for Mother’s Day.

I can’t wait to see my family and haven’t slept well in over a week now.  My brain is working overtime and my nerves are on edge.  This is mostly due to the fact I have to fly to get there.  This isn’t something I enjoy doing at all.  My ears are ill-equipped to handle the altitude.  I’ll be lucky if I can make it there and back without getting dizzy and sick.  My fingers are crossed.  I’m thankful I could get a nonstop flight at least.  That may help.

I should have new stories to tell and pictures to post when I return.  Stay tuned.

A to Z Reflections for 2016 Challenge

This was my fourth year participating in the challenge.  I love doing it and will probably do it again next year.  At first I thought I’d sit this year out.  There’s never enough time since I started working again, even though it’s part-time.  Somehow I always end up working more every week than I thought I would, but we’re shorthanded so I can understand this.  The extra money is nice too, but hopefully I’ll have more free time eventually.

I wanted to get all my posts written and scheduled ahead, like I did last year, but that didn’t happen.  I only had about five of them written when I signed up for the challenge.  Another two weeks went by without me writing one post toward my goal.  Of course I scolded myself.

This situation turned out to be the case for most of March.  I still had half of the posts for the challenge to write and only a week to do it in at that point.  This isn’t a good spot to be in.  But I had signed up, and obligated myself, so there was no way I wouldn’t get it done…somehow.

I can go into the challenge much more relaxed if everything is done ahead of time.  There’s some research involved usually, as a lot of you know.  I wanted to find unusual things this year and write about those things that most people probably wouldn’t know.  I thought this would be more interesting instead of my usual cat and/or life stories, although a bit of that may have sneaked in there.

I have to confess I didn’t visit as many blogs as I did last year.  But I still intend on visiting more over the summer, so I hope the blog list will be on the A to Z website for a while.  I should be ashamed of myself I know, and I am, but there’s only so much time after work and part of that has to be spent in the kitchen cooking and then cleaning up before I feel right about rewarding myself with some computer time. 

I had fun and did make some new friends and found some new interesting blogs to follow.  All that’s a good thing.  I’ve been blogging with some of you well over a year or two now.  I love reading what you have to say and about the things going on in your lives.  I feel like we’re blogging family.  My hat goes off to the people who can actually blog daily.  I really don’t know how you do it.  I wish I could manage that, but I know that won’t happen.  Twice a week for me is pushing it.

Thanks to everyone who visited me over the challenge, before that, and since then.  I hope I always have something worthwhile to say.  I enjoy all your comments very much.  All of you make me smile.

My Reflections on the A to Z blog challenge for 2015

We did it!!!

First, let me say I had a blast and can’t believe the challenge is over already.  This was my fourth year doing it and I love it for several reasons.

The challenge forces your mind to think of subjects to use for each letter.  Sometimes you have to get creative, as we all know some letters are difficult.

The challenge forces you to post daily (except Sundays), which is a good thing because it teaches discipline.

We meet many interesting people out there with lots to say.  Without the challenge, we wouldn’t know about the existence of half of these blogs (this is conservative) because the internet is a big place.

The challenge is fun, entertaining and educational.  What more could you ask for?

I know that many times life gets in the way of blogging, so do what I do and write and schedule your posts for the challenge ahead of time.  Once April rolls around you’re ready to go.  I find it fun and easy to read many blogs and leave comments if I abide by this practice.  If I tried to write a post daily and visit blogs, I’d never make it and would find myself stressed.  There’s enough stress in everyday life with unexpected things that come up.  The whole point of the challenge is to meet some interesting people and discover new blogs you want to visit year round.

If you like to write, my suggestion is to plan to do this next year.  If you don’t have a blog, you can start one.  They are free to set up using Blogspot or Word Press.  My advice is to write about what you know.  Put some thought into it and make it worthwhile for someone to read.  It should be at least a hundred words, but not too long.  (I have trouble with the length because I can never shut up)  If you don’t want to blog about your life or hobbies, you can use many themes for blogging.  You can also research subjects for your posts if you have more time.  Don’t forget to proofread before you post.

The other key is to post regularly, at least once a week.  Twice is better.  And always add pictures to your posts.  People love pictures.  Disable the CAPTCHA to make it easier for people to comment.  Once you’re up and running, visit other blogs you enjoy, read what they have to say and leave a comment.  Don’t forget to leave the link for your blog so they can check you out.

You can even post the link to your blog on your Facebook page.  I guarantee you’ll be having fun in no time.

Thank you to all the people who visited my blog during the challenge.  I appreciate you all for reading my posts and leaving a comment.  I look forward to the new relationships I’ve formed and to reading what you have to say during the coming year.

Reflections on 2013

Free Clip art

Life is full of happy times and times of conflict, work and play times, sad moments and joyful ones.  I prefer to look back on the best times, as I’m sure most of you do too.

I feel lucky in the fact that I got two trips this year, although neither was long enough, but isn’t that always the way it is when we’re having a great time?  But I won’t complain because there are many years I stay home and don’t go anywhere all year except to the grocery store, post office, pet store, and the herb store.  Yes, I’m usually writing and my life is that boring, although I don’t really look at it that way when I’m off on an adventure with the characters I’m writing about.

Seeing all my friends in southern CA was a great trip last May as I ran my legs off for the five days I was there.  I wore my husband out because he doesn’t like to go that much.  However, I don’t let any grass grow under my feet because I never know when I’ll be there again.  I have to make every minute count.

 Me and my friend Kara

 My friend Cec and me

 Me and my friend Bonnye

Me and my friend Sharon

Then seeing my family was wonderful in Sept.  Those ten days flew by.  I kept up the non-stop schedule there too because it had been four years and is likely to be four years again.  One never knows for sure where the future will lead.  There are way too many people to see and things to do in Texas.  As I mentioned earlier, I made every minute count.  I can sleep when I get home and that’s what I did.  I was pretty beat by the time I returned to the desert.  But if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

My family (mom and siblings)

In the writing department, I did a little freelance.  Times are slow there, but I did finish the family book I’ve worked on with my little sister for the last ten years, so that was a big accomplishment.  More importantly, all my siblings were happy to get their copies as we all collaborated by phone on this from time to time, amid many laughs at our childhood recollections..  My mom loved it, which is so very important since she’s in the early stages of dementia now.

I’m working on the corrections for my first mystery novel with help from the nice gal who’s doing the edits for me.  Thank you.  You know who you are.  I also entered the NaNoWriMo again this year because I don’t know when to quit.  It’s hard for me to turn down a competition because it’s a challenge and I love challenges.  So I wrote the first 51,000 words to the sequel of the mystery being edited right now.  Aside from that, I managed to write 210 blog posts this past year, plus a lot of other scribbling, so I feel pretty good about my writing time.

I do have a large house to keep up and life to live aside from my writing life, which takes up a lot of my time.  Naturally, I didn’t read as many books as I wanted to, but there is only so many moments in a day.

All issues on the health front have to do with other family members and not me or my husband this year.  Living parents have problems that come with old age and there isn’t a lot you can do about that.  I have a brother whose health issues are usually a result of his own stupidity, but no one can really do anything about that either because he’s grown.  If it’s one thing I know, you can’t change the thinking of a grown person.

We lost another cat this year.  That was difficult, but I try to remember that we gave her the best life she could have had and I like to think she’s having a happy reunion with her friends in the afterlife.

Comet - the cat I lost

I look forward to a better 2014, hopefully with more peace in my life.  It is fruitless to ask for more time each day because that will never happen.  One thing is certain; it will be an adventure with moving in the picture.  We all know what that entails, lots of energy, boxes, and packing tape.  At least next winter will be warmer, I hope, and the summer won’t be 115.

I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed myself here because I’ve seen a lot of things over the last nine-and-a-half-years that I would have never seen if I hadn’t called the desert home.  The landscape here is awesome and the wildlife incredible.  There are national and state parks close by and an outdoor amphitheater I’ve enjoyed.  I’ve also met some new friends to keep in touch with and rescued my little baby, Koki, who is such a love.  I hate to think what would have happened to this precious darling if I weren’t here to take her in.  She is, by far, the best thing that’s happened to me while living here.

 Koki - my little angel

Thanks again to all of you who follow my blog and read my meandering posts.  They tend to get a bit long sometimes.  I appreciate every one of your encouraging words.  You inspire me to do better in my writing.

I hope most of you realize many of your dreams in the coming year.  I think the advice we writers receive is good advice for everyone.  Don’t ever give up on your dreams.  Always believe in yourself.  All the battles you fight will only make you stronger.  No one can ever take away your imagination and determination unless you let them.

May peace, happiness, and good health be yours in 2014.  First on my agenda will be a trip to southern CA after New Years to see old friends again and take advantage of the seventy-degree weather for a few days.  I can’t wait.  Love and good wishes to you all.