My friend called me at 7:52 this morning...and she never calls. But I didn't answer it because I was snoozing. So then, I check my messages when I get up and all I hear are thunks and static for 30 straight seconds! 
I call back and no answer. 
So, I do what any other person would do, and I text her. 
"You're not kidnapped, are you?"
About thirty minutes later, she sent a note that her phone was in her back pocket and she butt-dialed me. 
"What a relief!"
Wait...prove it! What if the kidnapper texted that! 
I definitely have a plot twist. 

Back to Chattering Swallow. Notes to People will hopefully be up today. I'll keep you posted!

It is Christmas Eve! And, it is A Beautiful Life, after all. I've worked at publishing Notes to People all day, and I'm just waiting on approval from Nook...maybe it will be up in a few days! I'm so excited. 
Now it is time for Christmas movies and for working on my draft of my next book--Empty Nest. That and Chattering Swallow, which is still in progress. It's a bit of a dark story to be writing on this holiday, but it will be done soon, because I am determined. 
In other news, Little Black Dog sleeps all day, and then grumbles when I make him go outside. Clover is completely content to take up whatever warm space the house offers.  And Precious, well, she just ignores me. 
Have a wonderful holiday, and share your love with those you love. I wish you all glad tidings and happy moments. 

I just learned that several students look for my blog and I disappoint them when I don't post!
I've been so incredibly busy the last few weeks trying to wrap things up and my motivation to write has been dampened by the obligations of work and life...and well, of course...softball. But I'm back! (I am pretty sure I said that just a few weeks ago) But really, I'm back. I'm back to think and write and laugh and chat and share and be invested. And to report back on my murder mystery, Chattering Swallow, which I firmly intend to finish writing by the end of this month. Goals, people!
Goals for 2017 to still complete:
Query Fires at Christmas
Publish Notes to People (I'm almost there!!)
Finish drafting Chattering Swallow.

Christmas break begins in about 24 hours, and my goal achieving begins roughly around that time too. I mean, give me a minute to drink a glass of wine, if you would.

So thanks, kids, for the best surprise in the form of affirmation ever: I will keep writing. I appreciate all of you. Thanks for showing me you appreciate me.

So I've jumped in with both cold feet. I have announced to my social media peeps, my son, and just about everybody I know, that I am self-publishing my first book this weekend. Aaagh!
Nook and Kindle have a great platform space (for now...until Net Neutrality...) where I can publish my work on my own. I have my text, though it keeps going through revision and addition, over and over and over, and I have my cover art, but not my cover print just yet. Notes to People will be out by next week. Consider it my Christmas gift to myself, and perhaps, to you as well. It will be available as soon as the platforms post the text, which should be Monday or Tuesday.
Notes to People is just that: Notes. I see someone, or something and I make an observation, and even though I may not say the words at the time, I say them in this text. You might find something you meant to say one time. I'll keep you posted!
I'm so excited, and so nervous! But I've made it so I can't sit back on my heels. They are both fully submerged in this bathtub of goal setting. I can't wait until you read it.
Peace out, homie.