Today is All Our Uncles Are Monkeys Day! Do your best monkey dance up to your uncle and give him a big hug. Then take him out for a banana split!
Enjoy your uncle–and all your relatives. Surround yourself with family. That’s where the love comes from.
Grab your uncle and have fun today! Sonja
Be True to Your Work, Your Word, and Your Friend. Henry David Thoreau
Mr. Thoreau has it right. There’s nothing more important than those three things. Whatever your work, whether for school, job, or hobby–do it well and with all your heart. Your word is who you are–never say something you can’t support or hurt someone. Words can be like daggers. Your friends are your support system. Have friends you can count on, not simply people to have around you.
Work, word, and friend–the trifecta of a good life. Sonja
If you’ve been reading my posts you know I’m a big proponent of going outside. Reading outside is different than reading inside, hiking, going to a festival. It doesn’t matter what you do.
I have spent so many hours laying on the ground and watching the clouds. I watch how fast they are moving, the shapes I see in them, rainbows, the shadows they cast on the ground. There is so much to see.
Take this weekend to spend some time outside. Do what you want. Have a friend over, play with your dog, go for a hike, ride your bike.
Have a great weekend! Sonja
This tag represents a lot of work by Guinness the Therapy Dog. It shows that he can be a good boy when meeting people. After a month of visits, Guinness told me he would prefer to visit the hospital less.
That was difficult for me since I love bringing him to the hospital to visit with the nurses, doctors, and patients. The sessions weren’t as much fun for him–and he’s the one who needs to enjoy himself the most. He is the therapy dog after all. My job is to make sure he is happy and treated well.
We have been taking a break from the hospital as he continues to visit with the kids at the library and the domestic violence shelter–which he loves and looks forward to.
It’s all about Guinness. Sonja
The above quote really described my writing process. In a previous post, I wrote about being a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’. I’m a ‘plotter’ and need to know the direction of my story.
That doesn’t mean I am strict or regimented in my writing. I like to see where my characters want to take me–and often they surprise me–but I can gently lead them in the direction of my plot. Otherwise, my stories tend to wander around too much.
When I write my fairy stories, you can be sure that I have pictures of Ireland on my computer and a nice cup of tea steaming at the side of my laptop.
When I write about Guinness the Therapy Dog, I like to watch him as he plays with his sister, Lucy. A lot of the time, he’s laying on the floor at my feet or resting his chin on my leg as he begs for a nice petting session.
I get inspiration from everything that’s around me. Hopefully, that flavors my writing and helps with the general mood and descriptions for you, the reader.
Try to write today! Sonja
There are certain things that trigger us to smile. They are unique to each person. Mine are above, including Guinness the Therapy Dog, balloons, and dogs I meet around town.
What makes you smile?
It’s important to smile. It not only help you feel better, but lightens and elevates the moods of those around you.
Today is the day to smile. Sonja
How do you like to read a book? I use all three of the above formats. When I drive around in my car, I’m usually listening to an audiobook. But I have to be careful about which book I choose. If I get bored, I tend to tune out the audio. If it’s a complex story, it’s best if I read it as an eBook or a hard copy. I tend to lose track of plots and characters if I listen to a complex book.
I keep my e-reader in my purse. That way, if I get caught in a long line during an errand, I can pull out my book and read until I get to the front of the line. It’s a much better use of my time than standing around and watching those around me getting frustrated by the wait, although that can be fun, too. I read hard copies at home unless I can get it as an e-book.
Before I bought an e-reader, I was a confirmed hard copy book lover. I like the weight of a book in my hands and the act of turning the page. However, I am a convert to the e-book! It’s light and handy to have hundreds of books on my tiny reader. I download books from the library, which is a nice feature!
Tell me how you read your books! Sonja
Special pricing of the ebook for The Fairies of Carlow: The Outsider begins today! Use the link in the left margin of this web page, or search for my name on Amazon.com to go to the ebook. The special pricing will populate automatically.
Today is the lowest price. It will go up tomorrow and return to full price on November 18, 2019.
I hope you take advantage of this pricing.
The Fairies of Carlow: The Outsider is Book 2 of The Fairies of Carlow series and continues the riveting and heartfelt saga of the fairies that inhabit the Kingdom of Carlow. Princess Morgen (do not use her full name!) is from the neighboring Kingdom of Meath and has been raised on stories of the failings of the Carlowian royal family. She believes the barbarian king rules a hostile land; however, her father has arranged her marriage to the royal prince as protection against the marauding Red Caps. She is horrified by the edict and cannot imagine living her life tied to a heathen such as Prince Stephen. Does she face a cold and forbidding future, or will Prince Stephen defy his reputation and provide Princess Morgen with the love and support she craves?
I hope you take advantage of the price cut. Sonja
I am pleased to announce the working title for my first picture book: The Voyage. This tells the story of one of America’s preeminent families as it travels through Europe and finally lands on the eastern shore of the American Colonies.
The Wing Family landed in Boston and lived at Plymouth Colony before settling on Cape Cod.
I can’t wait for you to read about the Wing family! Sonja