Hi!
My dad was here visiting, and I'm running a little late again, but I'm here.
I could tell you great things about the visit, show you pictures, and act happy and normal.
The truth?
I'm exhausted...
Have you been running on empty too, or is it just me?
I'm on a mission to figure out the art of doing nothing. Why?
A life consultant once put a water bottle between us and told me we're like water bottles. Throughout the day we pour out some, fill up some, and work to keep the water bottle somewhat full.
Or at least we should work to keep the water bottle somewhat full.
But many of us pour out too much without stopping to fill up. Moms are notorious for pouring out more than they put in and end up with a water bottle so empty it collapses.
I took the water bottle thing a step further and wrote on a bottle a few things that fill me up for easy reference when running on empty.
What I noticed? Most of the items I wrote have to do with doing nothing: watching the rain, watching the ocean, watching snow falling, a river cruise, milky skies, cold nights, a hot stone massage, and all kinds of contemplative and mindful things.
That's how I fill up, and what I need to go after.
How about you? What fills up your water bottle?
By the way, a life consultant is a counselor-type person hired by the Army (other services might have them too) to listen to people and counsel if needed.
The water bottle guy was always at the coffee shop by the community mail room when we lived in Baumholder, Germany.
I never saw anyone turn him away when he approached a table and asked people if they wanted to tell him something, needed help sorting through something, and/or had a frustration or joy to share.
The Army at its best ;)
On the writing front:
A Season to Dance reached 150 reviews, and I'm super excited about that. Thank you for being part of the adventure!
Desert Willow is fully edited and is now with the proofreaders. I'm on beast mode scheduling tours and thrilled for the launch in February of 2020. You're the first to know: After much debate, we're keeping the original title! Super happy!
Kindred Spirits is on hold for now. All I have is "Act 1" and a bridge -- about 10,000 words.
The Seven Lives I Never Lived is my baby right now -- details soon. My agent has been shopping it since March, and the fact that we don't have a rejection yet is good news. My dream publisher rejects fast when they don't get the hook. They could be voting on it any day now. Oh, I hope it works!
And now you're all caught up :)
Have a wonderful summer, friends!
Send me your news, questions, doing nothing ideas, and whatever else you care to share. I love hearing from you and appreciate you always.
Love,
Patricia
