tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59997528433119592952024-03-13T08:46:00.979-05:00Travels with KayeKaye's travels toward and through publication. A long, wild ride! Posts by Kaye and friends.Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comBlogger455125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-41064798290492784532023-05-31T00:00:00.001-05:002023-05-31T00:00:00.159-05:00A sad farewell<p> 5 31 2023</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not really THAT sad. This blog has been a good thing for me
for quite a few years. I’ve been blogging here since January 2010 on my writing
journey. It’s been a long one, that’s for sure. I queried forever, and ended up
getting 15 novels published, soon to be 16. Two are out of print, but about to
go back into print, thanks to Untreed Reads picking them up. (I’m writing a
third in that series now.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What have I accomplished over these years, 13 of them? (That’s
my lucky number, luckily.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Imogene Duckworthy series, 4 novels: CHOKE, SMOKE, BROKE,
STROKE. Maybe more to come there. I do love writing these. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Cressa Carraway Musical Mysteries: published with the
titles EINE KLEINE MURDER, REQUIEM IN RED. To be republished with the titles I
wanted originally, SONG OF DEATH, REQUIEM FOR RED, and the third which is being
written now, SWAN SONG.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Prehistory, People of the Wind series: DEATH IN THE TIME
OF ICE, DEATH ON THE TREK, DEATH IN THE NEW LAND.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***First cozy series, Fat Cat: FAT CAT AT LARGE, FAT CAT
SPREADS OUT, FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Second cozy series: REVENGE IS SWEET, DEADLY SWEET TOOTH,
INTO THE SWEET HEREAFTER. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***A Neanderthal recipe for mammoth jerky in COZY FOOD
recipe book. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***About 50 short stories in anthologies, magazines, etc.
And I’ve published and helped publish a few anthologies myself. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Helped found the East TN Sister in Crime chapter, Smoking
Guns. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***Was treasurer, then president for the awesome online
chapter of Sister in Crime, Guppies. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not too bad, I think! BUT, I haven’t been maintaining this
blog, and don’t seem to need it anymore. There aren’t many followers since the
following software got all messed up. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">SO, it’s time to leave. The post will remain here forever,
or until the planet burns or drowns. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, I have grandkids to enjoy, a few more travels to
do, and books and stories to write. Thank you, everyone who stuck with this!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I mostly keep this page up, if you want to follow something.
I’m also on some social media, links at the bottom of the page.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://kayegeorge.com/">http://kayegeorge.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-87664835429288343912023-04-18T00:00:00.001-05:002023-04-18T00:00:00.172-05:00NEW BOOK and a GIVEAWAY<p> 4 18 2023</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A special day!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the release day of my brand new novel, STROKE!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou28RnCoJhwvPTE7Qq2Z7PJu5A1Ju8gWoGG5Pw2DBM9Rm3-d_K5zRdIqdGJBT8Z28onVXKGJg7aosb8OREAIotAvw7VqRpx8U28gMq85BVw1NNfErqP3oWuqIoBZGNhhQsicpX4hxF7k0xwJSJYTg5_wHK6oQvrpV_dHUn0Rj61PvtSc1zuQKFruv/s4000/IMG_20230417_124613620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhou28RnCoJhwvPTE7Qq2Z7PJu5A1Ju8gWoGG5Pw2DBM9Rm3-d_K5zRdIqdGJBT8Z28onVXKGJg7aosb8OREAIotAvw7VqRpx8U28gMq85BVw1NNfErqP3oWuqIoBZGNhhQsicpX4hxF7k0xwJSJYTg5_wHK6oQvrpV_dHUn0Rj61PvtSc1zuQKFruv/s320/IMG_20230417_124613620.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you were wise enough to pre-order, they should start
going out today. If you forgot to do it, you can order it anyway! (HOW TO WIN A
COPY IS BELOW)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I shall kindly give you the links. You’re welcome. E-book
should be out soon, but the paperback is ready now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Untreed Reads<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.untreedreads.com/product/stroke-an-imogene-duckworthy-mystery-4-by-kaye-george/">https://www.untreedreads.com/product/stroke-an-imogene-duckworthy-mystery-4-by-kaye-george/</a><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Amazon paperback and e-book
pre-order<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stroke-Imogene-Duckworthy-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BZ243FTP/">https://www.amazon.com/Stroke-Imogene-Duckworthy-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BZ243FTP/</a><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Apple iBook<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/stroke/id6446504526">https://books.apple.com/us/book/stroke/id6446504526</a><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kobo<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/stroke-47">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/stroke-47</a>?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">HOWEVER, I would very much like to give away a copy to a fan
of this series. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Imogene Duckworthy series features a mostly clueless
inept detective who solves crimes, in spite of doing everything wrong. The
first three books are CHOKE, SMOKE, and BROKE. A pet pig named Marshmallow makes
an entrance part way through the series, and a goat named Babalu shows up in
this book. Along with a dead groom on the morning of his wedding. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’ve read the first three, you can <b>comment below to win </b>the new 4<sup>th</sup> book. If you haven’t
read all or any of them, you’ll have a chance to win whichever one you pick. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1jkPZ2C1nEQE4aa6J4LbKsktUQA8wabqZ8NNFp8Uq4c9tWjfH26R3rHRsG4cqMkGCuNtQbKHqy0R1WHLoS7CCMEvuzMjtdklDwPK1yUxJcLBlLR4hOHFND64DwZSSI3ew_WcOhAcrzgpUK6ro1nGZd7B4W-KjH7f3Er3VdvwhNR0erGiaUQAnseD/s1200/4%20Immy%20books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1jkPZ2C1nEQE4aa6J4LbKsktUQA8wabqZ8NNFp8Uq4c9tWjfH26R3rHRsG4cqMkGCuNtQbKHqy0R1WHLoS7CCMEvuzMjtdklDwPK1yUxJcLBlLR4hOHFND64DwZSSI3ew_WcOhAcrzgpUK6ro1nGZd7B4W-KjH7f3Er3VdvwhNR0erGiaUQAnseD/s320/4%20Immy%20books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-79521151435316384532023-01-19T00:00:00.001-06:002023-01-19T00:00:00.213-06:00Can You Hear Me?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<br />
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbdevYh51dgpgRn9W1fxdBR-BWRBFq6h_ZWdUJXWi_v03CuSwCOO99MIQHjL1aWLYmlyk0jIOzQ4GwTW0U-1bo5dUy3Sq7G3fkWsxOjA32sZx3JjHoVWGZzuzSYJYqL6JtZVLKu9dW5RPFm6_IzFzkVj6i1a8LBGwiPlbA6EBFomrvRFXnEofeGo5/s640/audiobook-3106986_640%201%2019%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbdevYh51dgpgRn9W1fxdBR-BWRBFq6h_ZWdUJXWi_v03CuSwCOO99MIQHjL1aWLYmlyk0jIOzQ4GwTW0U-1bo5dUy3Sq7G3fkWsxOjA32sZx3JjHoVWGZzuzSYJYqL6JtZVLKu9dW5RPFm6_IzFzkVj6i1a8LBGwiPlbA6EBFomrvRFXnEofeGo5/s320/audiobook-3106986_640%201%2019%2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><o:p> </o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have to tell you something! Remember I posted about 4 new
books upcoming? There are actually two more! Untreed Reads is doing audio books
of the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Neanderthal mysteries!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jay Hartman gave me two sample readings and I preferred the
same voice he did, so it’s underway. No date on this, but it won’t be too long.
If you prefer listening to your Neanderthal mysteries, you won’t have to wait
much long. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you want other audio books of my works, you can find them
on the web page:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://kayegeorge.com/">http://kayegeorge.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Photo from pixabay.com</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br />Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-47475967714375338282023-01-13T14:51:00.000-06:002023-01-13T14:51:24.278-06:00New contract!<p> I received the completed contract last night for 4 projects! I'm very excited about this!! I believe a celebration is called for.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaWnVFSBo_C89d_kT4goYu2t5gIYxx8hYcuvHd96qLtmch8iccw5WIA9Vsk63Gi5dQLC66NFpUt8DTgifmd0_cS5jebYQYBCoMsuiR0nLHepvIgOWraSX6-_xlx9aZdyiOj27D2gXFvR9W-WJ3tsAgDW9-TbaMKDMbN7VnR6-cfefnU_w4QVBb-ce/s640/balloons-1761634_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="640" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaWnVFSBo_C89d_kT4goYu2t5gIYxx8hYcuvHd96qLtmch8iccw5WIA9Vsk63Gi5dQLC66NFpUt8DTgifmd0_cS5jebYQYBCoMsuiR0nLHepvIgOWraSX6-_xlx9aZdyiOj27D2gXFvR9W-WJ3tsAgDW9-TbaMKDMbN7VnR6-cfefnU_w4QVBb-ce/s320/balloons-1761634_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Untreed Reads will re-issue my first two Cressa Carraway musical mysteries and I'm writing a third to go with them. They will also publish my just-completed STROKE, the 4th Imogene Duckworthy novel. I loved getting together with all the characters from both of these series!</p><p><br /></p><p>There are details in my newsletter, but I wanted to post that here, too, in case this is the only place you look. Thank you for being a reader and a fan!</p><p><br /></p><p>Newsletter sign up is on my webpage:</p><p><a href="http://kayegeorge.com/~~" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family: georgia, serif;"></span>http://kayegeorge.com/</a></p><p><br /></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-53980403943907588662022-12-07T00:00:00.007-06:002022-12-07T00:00:00.194-06:00How are you holding up?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">12 7 2022<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJFtojlHHzw0rrWhCq_WC5eVkFWTXJFr7bS3LkP4Fz7sdtmT4lqOyoUR878wEAgZROBaocV_x23W4wBG5lq7si-ApsIKGUOuTTyQA14zvi8JhOqI2wpx7outaSVexclFhWwBhHrHt8OoFF-2oJrk3KAVk04DK034UUlLZSGnM3FOdPqyZwoH0ct0s/s2048/bookshelf%202021%20May.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJFtojlHHzw0rrWhCq_WC5eVkFWTXJFr7bS3LkP4Fz7sdtmT4lqOyoUR878wEAgZROBaocV_x23W4wBG5lq7si-ApsIKGUOuTTyQA14zvi8JhOqI2wpx7outaSVexclFhWwBhHrHt8OoFF-2oJrk3KAVk04DK034UUlLZSGnM3FOdPqyZwoH0ct0s/s320/bookshelf%202021%20May.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The holidays are a joyful time for many and extremely
difficult for others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8HSq9SVfFH-iRaO-9wbEaUM1vyqkU9wett0KSlN-m_ilT0lM49Zyt3JNcPojqlzu0yr7YS9OMNLpwp9gnF8pse_SXKmzCWeg3XYnVWO9EZLR_yBCYXjwPpxyH6Bxm9mnqcFjjbD9A8qXrc6cP8r-f1XAoA9x8ed3bLNlBAdQEvYz2ohhso_h7vsL/s640/12%207%20christmas-2547356_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="640" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8HSq9SVfFH-iRaO-9wbEaUM1vyqkU9wett0KSlN-m_ilT0lM49Zyt3JNcPojqlzu0yr7YS9OMNLpwp9gnF8pse_SXKmzCWeg3XYnVWO9EZLR_yBCYXjwPpxyH6Bxm9mnqcFjjbD9A8qXrc6cP8r-f1XAoA9x8ed3bLNlBAdQEvYz2ohhso_h7vsL/s320/12%207%20christmas-2547356_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For those who have a hard time, people can give you a lot of
recommendations, can’t they? Get into the spirit! Decorating will make you feel
better! And lots of others. I happen to get benefit from being with other
people. I love holiday crowds. But I’m not everyone!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I found this article in Psychology Today about why
meditation doesn’t work for everyone. It impressed me. It lists 5 conditions
that make meditation difficult, even harmful. Take a look if you’ve found no
benefits from medication.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/202212/why-meditation-doesn-t-work-everyone">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/202212/why-meditation-doesn-t-work-everyone</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One this those of us with depression are good at is hiding
it behind a smile. You never can tell what a person is thinking or feeling,
just by looking. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO44420t85ulR8NgC088VESt9-CPC1LBsf7OoYC1baplkzgC1kabjdW9R3iyqioBEboY4xAq-BC1CIw3hrvbvDJV2SKuK_NAn8s_8h0TCCQzy4baiAPv0-vcVD03DFGJJAqyqzrf1H9H-1Gat98pO2zmwOsvCLwM9rFw1LZOH2VIn8b-DLHYBf-DUN/s640/12%207%20smiley-2979107_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO44420t85ulR8NgC088VESt9-CPC1LBsf7OoYC1baplkzgC1kabjdW9R3iyqioBEboY4xAq-BC1CIw3hrvbvDJV2SKuK_NAn8s_8h0TCCQzy4baiAPv0-vcVD03DFGJJAqyqzrf1H9H-1Gat98pO2zmwOsvCLwM9rFw1LZOH2VIn8b-DLHYBf-DUN/s320/12%207%20smiley-2979107_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The end is the part I like: finding your own form of
meditation. Like the guy who lost himself in his carving, I can lose myself in
my fiction. I never realized it before, but writing is my meditation. I mean, I’ve
always known that I’m in better mental health when I’m writing, but I’ve never
put it that way. I know some people exercise to stay sane. Do you have anything
similar? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU91mIzNyifpRufMEC3qFKdduOGkD4CyoIUcXQw2ppSBDZTZ1iBSG_QYPMvtqGIOK_j1KUGPFbieYWvozTNrvMDg61L7gQbvAKL78XMuaCD6mhLZ6BRSyD4jS9cmKLvEV4ti_liji0ASW0dSGPwtTbOJ-RCVL0ve3EoAc4m3b1UDF9AOOYapy90i6L/s640/12%207%20happy%20writing%20love-story-3060241_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU91mIzNyifpRufMEC3qFKdduOGkD4CyoIUcXQw2ppSBDZTZ1iBSG_QYPMvtqGIOK_j1KUGPFbieYWvozTNrvMDg61L7gQbvAKL78XMuaCD6mhLZ6BRSyD4jS9cmKLvEV4ti_liji0ASW0dSGPwtTbOJ-RCVL0ve3EoAc4m3b1UDF9AOOYapy90i6L/s320/12%207%20happy%20writing%20love-story-3060241_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I expect to have a very good Christmas. There will be 5
grandchildren present. That’s a formula for happiness!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>***I’ll note that this is being posted on Pearl Harbor Day. I
don’t want to ignore it. <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfHw1QLlQwSphgsfrD93KrUoGO44Zdl9tSaU30hrlE9pz4_xx3YsiF3UNz5ssvJAnfPq0mAFOUZunFjyOGKHUmR6BaeufvmTVWHOk9aXg27lvDSHrrnOmVOgFIjUeDJKLe2GQSimWXBQY5IlZZGLtH2yM13ltDTXKc1SQkB0FyN_2kOU9fsmCqYQh/s640/12%207%20pearl%20harbor%20flag-688446_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfHw1QLlQwSphgsfrD93KrUoGO44Zdl9tSaU30hrlE9pz4_xx3YsiF3UNz5ssvJAnfPq0mAFOUZunFjyOGKHUmR6BaeufvmTVWHOk9aXg27lvDSHrrnOmVOgFIjUeDJKLe2GQSimWXBQY5IlZZGLtH2yM13ltDTXKc1SQkB0FyN_2kOU9fsmCqYQh/s320/12%207%20pearl%20harbor%20flag-688446_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><i>The illustrations are
all from pixabay.com<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br />Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-16123305536055164242022-10-24T13:19:00.001-05:002022-10-24T13:19:49.462-05:00Just a note FYI<p> 10 24 2022 </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amazon—for</span> writers, we can’t really live without it today.
But it’s darn hard to live WITH it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The newest glitch/innovation/mess is that you will NOT see
all of my books when you google my name there, NOR when you go to my author
page. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My google, that pulled up 8 total books. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kaye+george&crid=S2LZDIWD20AY&sprefix=kaye+george%2Caps%2C141&ref=nb_sb_noss_1">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kaye+george&crid=S2LZDIWD20AY&sprefix=kaye+george%2Caps%2C141&ref=nb_sb_noss_1</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My author page, that is missing the first book in two of the
series.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kaye-George/e/B004CFRJ76">https://www.amazon.com/Kaye-George/e/B004CFRJ76</a>?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to messages to various authors, this is a mess-up
and will be corrected OR it’s a new policy to do…something they think they
should do. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At any rate, IF you want to see my books and my short
stories, you can see them on my own page. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://kayegeorge.wixsite.com/kaye-george">https://kayegeorge.wixsite.com/kaye-george</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-63632327618859870012022-09-01T00:00:00.001-05:002022-09-01T00:00:00.191-05:00A Trip with James Jackson to Greenland!<p> I've known Jim for many years through our writing, the Guppies, and even meeting in person. He's a good friend and a wonderful writer! Here's his bio:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">James
M. Jackson authors the Seamus McCree series. Full of mystery and suspense,
these domestic thrillers explore financial crimes, family relationships, and
what happens when they mix. August 2022 saw publication of the 7<sup>th</sup>
novel in the series, <i>Granite Oath</i>. (<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://jamesmjackson.com/novels/granite-oath.html">Click here</a></span>
for information and purchase links.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jim
splits his time between the wilds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the city
life in Madison, WI. You can find more information about Jim and his books at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://jamesmjackson.com/">https://jamesmjackson.com</a></span>
or contact him via <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:jmj@jamesmjackson.com?subject=Wisconsin%20Sisters%20in%20Crime">email</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">And now, what you're waiting for, a trip to Greenland, starting with a view of their tourboat cruising past a glacier!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy570F8zsEiKn5jjGDpNr2v7RvqOUBI4UGm5YJ97_aK0SJEW6t4RzsJAUuz8XA2iOcnOEZQ9u4_JnC6SM4yIeJkbp5iDpV7hHwZQaxdfEbBA04NVCEmtVPT9Dy6OT0mOqHx_dXAJk5Zjj_JLhvdu1XxIiTTw6QMCEXUqjQ4GMt9TT26ROYTcRerTOx/s6978/Hanging-glacker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4657" data-original-width="6978" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy570F8zsEiKn5jjGDpNr2v7RvqOUBI4UGm5YJ97_aK0SJEW6t4RzsJAUuz8XA2iOcnOEZQ9u4_JnC6SM4yIeJkbp5iDpV7hHwZQaxdfEbBA04NVCEmtVPT9Dy6OT0mOqHx_dXAJk5Zjj_JLhvdu1XxIiTTw6QMCEXUqjQ4GMt9TT26ROYTcRerTOx/s320/Hanging-glacker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">A few facts to put Greenland into perspective with wherever
you live. Its total area is about 150% of Alaska’s (220% of Texas), but an ice
sheet covers 80% of it, forcing the population to its seaside edges. The ice
sheet at its thickest is over 12,000 feet. The massive weight has compressed
the land underneath to below sea level. Most people live in the south and west.
The total population is 56,500, of whom 14,800 live in the capital, Nuuk. Eric
the Red named the island Greenland to lure settlers from Iceland!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Fjords carve Greenland’s coastline. Glaciers head many of
the fjords, but they are retreating. Many glaciers now “hang,” meaning they no longer
reach the ocean. We had many memorable experiences, and at the top of the list
was meeting a pod of feeding Humpback Whales.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">We rode small boats to explore the Illulissat Icefjord,
where the Greenland icecap calves enormous icebergs into Disko Bay. I spotted
the first Humpback in a cove created by icebergs. The boat idled in, and we
discovered eight together. Humpbacks are 45-50 feet long (which is huge, but
only half the size of the blue whales we saw earlier off the coast of Iceland).
They can live up to 50 years.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In the pictures below you can see three feeding together, a
dripping tail just before the whale dove and the underside of another’s fluke.
I sent that picture to HappyWhale.com, and they identified that individual as
HW-MN0102358, which was first recorded on July 31, 2018 in the same general
area (and spotted again by someone else a few days after my encounter).
Humpbacks have two nostrils. The spout you see is water vaporized when they
exhale.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEChE1nJzcqxxU0fcQAT2P0vQ8ENpCv4rtLmusIPwvQoQLMZA3VEs5Yzd1V-Ztg3iMYoAy2E8Icvz4wSo7oM-_EjYTryXnW7UyiCXW5lCO6i9JWddMbZaysGwswcoty1wNQQQQDGgtS3tZ-mx75gwLEDt_6Yk5f-08e4hG7uPTsW7q4XdpBNKx-aNj/s5662/3-humpbacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3779" data-original-width="5662" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEChE1nJzcqxxU0fcQAT2P0vQ8ENpCv4rtLmusIPwvQoQLMZA3VEs5Yzd1V-Ztg3iMYoAy2E8Icvz4wSo7oM-_EjYTryXnW7UyiCXW5lCO6i9JWddMbZaysGwswcoty1wNQQQQDGgtS3tZ-mx75gwLEDt_6Yk5f-08e4hG7uPTsW7q4XdpBNKx-aNj/s320/3-humpbacks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07-qZE5o7TYnvXWwHgHKSAjGvzzeCkZz7p8mAFSyhRhRpgJIOzGbHpJBqdBgkLrVIZokdiYs8HFD2G4i4bxKZ4tr-HPFutjGQrWeWsbKRH7mSqhwvGY5UIVSZfbafQJnNTUEiZACbNSsQEZTnAkJ8JGCCt-TvD0uPShatGO4UHYtJD_9Q3oqIctut/s2847/3%20Dripping-Humpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="2847" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07-qZE5o7TYnvXWwHgHKSAjGvzzeCkZz7p8mAFSyhRhRpgJIOzGbHpJBqdBgkLrVIZokdiYs8HFD2G4i4bxKZ4tr-HPFutjGQrWeWsbKRH7mSqhwvGY5UIVSZfbafQJnNTUEiZACbNSsQEZTnAkJ8JGCCt-TvD0uPShatGO4UHYtJD_9Q3oqIctut/s320/3%20Dripping-Humpack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOYP_G-ixcjtE4mQgD0dvZKPCwTYioYUdaMDeTFhtlSq2dK4-NrChrIlo2I1dvarBrXSBffgaZRf83Yr4yCStM-NH4gFsIO7jNSY39v8eZncgQvS_jF_1Jje3hUfwoUfuh_xMtvyHkA5GkQ06Y6pAMJmUVwWY4OL6dRS-qmT9WD9VmxvPz8fww0H9/s2140/4%20Humpback-fluke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="2140" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOYP_G-ixcjtE4mQgD0dvZKPCwTYioYUdaMDeTFhtlSq2dK4-NrChrIlo2I1dvarBrXSBffgaZRf83Yr4yCStM-NH4gFsIO7jNSY39v8eZncgQvS_jF_1Jje3hUfwoUfuh_xMtvyHkA5GkQ06Y6pAMJmUVwWY4OL6dRS-qmT9WD9VmxvPz8fww0H9/s320/4%20Humpback-fluke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVE9wh04f7d2DDZPjFeG6VWiL38ihOsPlC-9rtVZo7gw_4fJqQcn2XGgwzoLfmEF5YOC_rpFTFvspVwbn6Kz9IFqqZsS_CEL554su7v2TUVOpChjH3NnvtqDYTltOiwlFwQ8ZaEnXa6B0dmmkDWkGlDXJzedX6sAK2v-nD3zImXZwpTmDTn_Ihioo/s3477/5%20Spouting-humpback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3477" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVE9wh04f7d2DDZPjFeG6VWiL38ihOsPlC-9rtVZo7gw_4fJqQcn2XGgwzoLfmEF5YOC_rpFTFvspVwbn6Kz9IFqqZsS_CEL554su7v2TUVOpChjH3NnvtqDYTltOiwlFwQ8ZaEnXa6B0dmmkDWkGlDXJzedX6sAK2v-nD3zImXZwpTmDTn_Ihioo/s320/5%20Spouting-humpback.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We enjoyed their company for twenty minutes. When one swam
underneath our boat, turned around, and swam underneath again before surfacing,
we wondered who was entertaining whom. Our time was up, but as we were leaving,
two other boats arrived to witness the magic.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Kaye and others have asked if they can expect to find my
fictional sleuth, Seamus McCree, on a cruise. Never say never, but it’s
unlikely. Seamus doesn’t have to travel to find trouble, and he’s turning into
a homebody. Given his preference (and I usually listen to him), he’ll remain at
his place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (where the most recent Seamus McCree
novel, <i>Granite Oath</i>, takes place.)<o:p></o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-50010559821648466262022-08-25T00:00:00.012-05:002022-08-25T08:28:37.202-05:00New, Good Deals, and Funny Stories<p> 8 25 2022 </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVgmkAmhwkv3Rzca7P_sdxOzWh3xXsfvdWB7lS3QFWohVXcFVEp9rTx-QdI0JlW3DeBeye2734v-xexhWV2Wrfs-a3NlfmutaPAXf265xjNBoBbHt4E02cExbawRQ8oN4kCtQJo0-Vg4OsEs0otmYdUmxCbl_5AeaXMQjdLoGjFrt8ydEEaRREteb/s1518/BookBrushImage-2022-7-5-18-2850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1518" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVgmkAmhwkv3Rzca7P_sdxOzWh3xXsfvdWB7lS3QFWohVXcFVEp9rTx-QdI0JlW3DeBeye2734v-xexhWV2Wrfs-a3NlfmutaPAXf265xjNBoBbHt4E02cExbawRQ8oN4kCtQJo0-Vg4OsEs0otmYdUmxCbl_5AeaXMQjdLoGjFrt8ydEEaRREteb/w431-h216/BookBrushImage-2022-7-5-18-2850.jpg" width="431" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know that my last post had links to a number of reviews
and giveaways of my latest book, but I was surprised by one more this
week! I think you need to apply for the
e-book contest by Saturday. Or maybe Friday. I didn’t know Lorie Ham had asked Edith
Maxwell to review this at Kings River Life Magazine and also didn’t know they
were doing this giveaway! What a nice surprise!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/death-in-the-new-land-by-kaye-george/">https://kingsriverlife.com/08/20/death-in-the-new-land-by-kaye-george/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgVzcJIxQmaH9Y_MBPB68EzWasV6-jkO5xXSUPwF2ucplZET9ZeESF_--frsPgHAAcd4ObWCX-SjCbETY4w8ccyRou00a6iHv20cReAi_Bwb_GunjmWAk0VSQ0W5m_9UEDGfSOmL5vX1mMsBE6g3xxOnnWg9AZSUBCSgkssXnOoDuNFlVkLR7exR9/s2500/DITNLDraft_Two.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgVzcJIxQmaH9Y_MBPB68EzWasV6-jkO5xXSUPwF2ucplZET9ZeESF_--frsPgHAAcd4ObWCX-SjCbETY4w8ccyRou00a6iHv20cReAi_Bwb_GunjmWAk0VSQ0W5m_9UEDGfSOmL5vX1mMsBE6g3xxOnnWg9AZSUBCSgkssXnOoDuNFlVkLR7exR9/s320/DITNLDraft_Two.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>WHAT ELSE IS NEW?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have more news, too! Now that it’s official, I feel I can
tell you that I was asked to write a story for Black Cat Weekly by Michael
Bracken. He had an idea and asked Josh Pachter to write it, but Josh suggested
that I do it. Wasn’t that nice? Those are two very good guys. It was almost
worth getting Covid, going to Malice Domestic and being asked this. (My family,
to whom I gave it, would probably not agree.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I signed and returned the contract this week, and it will be
in edition #58, which should be the weekend of October 8<sup>th</sup>, if I
counted correctly. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you don’t subscribe to this excellent publication, you
probably should. You can sign up or buy copies here: <a href="https://bcmystery.com/">https://bcmystery.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8lWAqDo-DwMarhWBjLeNJXjV22ULwUI8BoD7hWlTQgzh2ja4GfyOwcvl-xFDRZcNc8j74QdThRo5fpL4PPufPgso5ZL3jYpl7HimGcAruLYAnl4d7ZwHsAXE3zBn2JqRg_mJtcIAotsRPbSkUYHkpu5Xnxx_iq9Nc5m-yYU11LsuzkgmpdQKNGt1v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="250" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8lWAqDo-DwMarhWBjLeNJXjV22ULwUI8BoD7hWlTQgzh2ja4GfyOwcvl-xFDRZcNc8j74QdThRo5fpL4PPufPgso5ZL3jYpl7HimGcAruLYAnl4d7ZwHsAXE3zBn2JqRg_mJtcIAotsRPbSkUYHkpu5Xnxx_iq9Nc5m-yYU11LsuzkgmpdQKNGt1v" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>AND THIS IS GOOD!<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Untreed Reads has arranged for special priced bundles for
the Neanderthal books, People of the Wind, AND for my Imogene Duckworthy novels
at <a href="https://www.drivethrufiction.com/">https://www.drivethrufiction.com/</a>. <o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: StarSymbol; font-size: 12pt;">You get all three novels in
all e-formats.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://bit.ly/POTWBundle">https://bit.ly/POTWBundle</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bit.ly/iduckworthybundle">https://bit.ly/iduckworthybundle</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>TWO FUNNY STORIES<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week I took a quick trip to see that same family and
did NOT bring them any diseases. My grandsons both take violin lessons, from
two different teachers, and they were happening two of the days I was there. I
tagged along to meet the teachers and see the lessons. (I’m a violinist and
used to give lessons long ago.) At the first lesson for the older boy (and my
daughter) (who is a clarinet and recorder player who recently decided to learn
violin and cello), the teacher asked if I’d like to do a duet with her at the
end of the lesson. I got to play my daughter’s violin, which is a joy to play. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The teacher thumbed through some of her duet books and I
landed on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which she said she did not know! It was
fun, and when I got home, I asked my daughter to give me the teacher’s email so
I could send her the YouTube of Cohen singing it. I like the one live in
London. My daughter sent me the email on my business account for Kaye George,
and I emailed her from there, not thinking about the link to my webpage. Well,
turns out she loves mysteries and by the next week, had ordered some of mine!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okay, that was really fun, but here’s an even funnier
related story. My younger grandson is very impressed that Grandma is an author.
We went out to lunch one day and he asked his parents if people would be asking
Grandma for her autograph. I refrained from loud laughter, but said it was
unlikely. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then his lesson was later that day. He had to brag to his
teacher that I was a writer and it turns out she reads mostly cozy mysteries!
So I gave her a card and, just before we left, she asked me to autograph it—using
that word. My grandson got his wish!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">New book, new story coming up, and two new fans—it’s all
good!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope your month is going well, too.<o:p></o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-56077748357546641952022-08-04T00:00:00.001-05:002022-08-04T00:00:00.189-05:00DEATH IN THE NEW LAND<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>DEATH IN THE NEW LAND</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfhiQHst26oS0LNr6ZmPTE0j0-SLWJsAwB4PBm9YfgrBWUrSvMM6ujZ0kcu_REAbIaDgW6edcyFNyRQCdy1ReH2QscRHUpTtyVkkMkpR2KKG70DnJfbd-AvcPzhJBHcaF25n0zZs_bpJKtWMVCKfktlAL0YJm5vJ3HRWKL0L1x0kMj4kl0PT3hlIX/s1518/BookBrushImage-2022-7-5-18-2850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1518" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfhiQHst26oS0LNr6ZmPTE0j0-SLWJsAwB4PBm9YfgrBWUrSvMM6ujZ0kcu_REAbIaDgW6edcyFNyRQCdy1ReH2QscRHUpTtyVkkMkpR2KKG70DnJfbd-AvcPzhJBHcaF25n0zZs_bpJKtWMVCKfktlAL0YJm5vJ3HRWKL0L1x0kMj4kl0PT3hlIX/s320/BookBrushImage-2022-7-5-18-2850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s out, the third book in this series! And doing well! I’d love for everyone to buy a
copy, of course, but I have a stack of them on my dining room table and can
give one away to one of you!<b> Just leave a comment below and I’ll pick a winner
on Friday night. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b> </b></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b>What’s it about? </b>Enga
Dancing Flower and her tribe of Neanderthals have reached a place they can stay
in safety. Or have they?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s clear the groups of other settlers in the area do not
want more neighbors, and this is made even more evident when a male of Enga’s
tribe is murdered, and a baby is kidnapped.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The future of the tribe is immediately put into question.
Can Enga and her people find the killer and rescue the baby? Or will the
security and bright future the tribe has dreamed of fall to pieces?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Where is it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It’s available everywhere books
are sold. It can ordered from your local bookstore. But here’s an extra dead:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you buy the paperback from
Untreed Reads, you can get my <b>short story "The Bavarian Krisp Caper"
free!</b> There’s a <b>special discount</b> if you pick up all three paperbacks at one
time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.untreedreads.com/author/kayegeorge/URP/7/">https://www.untreedreads.com/author/kayegeorge/URP/7/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b>APPEARANCES: </b></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All of my appearances for this launch have had to be virtual.
But there are several reviews and interviews. I’ll list them again here. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>REVIEW:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"> by Amber Foxx, who writes the Mae Martin Psychic
Mysteries, no murder, just mysteries, and lives where this book takes places,
in what is now New Mexico. Here’s the link to her review: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/2022/07/07/a-new-mexico-mystery-review-death-in-the-new-land-by-kaye-george/">https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/2022/07/07/a-new-mexico-mystery-review-death-in-the-new-land-by-kaye-george/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>GUEST BLOG: </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At Ladies of Mystery. I try to answer the question about my
main character: Where Did Enga Dancing Flower Come From?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://ladiesofmystery.com/2022/07/16/guest-blogger-kaye-george/">https://ladiesofmystery.com/2022/07/16/guest-blogger-kaye-george/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>GUEST BLOG:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This one is for Lyrical Pens, where cj petterson has been
kindly posted about my upcoming release about my motivation for writing this
series. Please check out her books, too!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.lyricalpens.com/2022/07/a-guest-post-by-author-kaye-george.html">https://www.lyricalpens.com/2022/07/a-guest-post-by-author-kaye-george.html</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>INTERVIEW:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">George Cramer hosted me at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://gdcramer.com/2022/07/21/kaye-george-cozy-traditional-mystery-and-prehistoric/">https://gdcramer.com/2022/07/21/kaye-george-cozy-traditional-mystery-and-prehistoric/</a></span>
where I answered his fun interview questions. He’s an author, a PI, and Native
American of Karuk descent. His debut novel, THE MONA LISA SISTERS, came out in
2020. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>INTERVIEW:</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the 24<sup>th</sup> Amber Foxx also interviewed me. She
wanted to know all about how and why I write this series. <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/2022/07/24/a-new-mexico-mystery-author-interview-kaye-george/">https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/2022/07/24/a-new-mexico-mystery-author-interview-kaye-george/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>DRU’S MUSINGS WITH ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, to cap things off, my main character, Enga Dancing
Flower, will tell you about her day at Dru’s Musings on August 5th. Come over
that day for a giveaway! It will run from 8/5-8/8, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://drusbookmusing.com/">https://drusbookmusing.com/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-72768592723681453712022-07-14T00:00:00.001-05:002022-07-14T00:00:00.173-05:00Almost here!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">7 14 2022 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmUMg7HUkpijKWdvft7wRAAhL3DaZjqOhZBC3k78aIHVECsqYUaIfwB6PBu7ldIZvgdybem6NRmxEQmVX4VstNpxfoPySXlvwUo8Mt5aWrsZ38kFFJAwnPKWailtnzGeZqFCYh6u0yl2H9MyQVh4rP9bhf6zEXchYr8sycr3mscxWdhYpCSW-hPpf/s1200/BookBrushImage-2022-5-8-12-836%20July%2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmUMg7HUkpijKWdvft7wRAAhL3DaZjqOhZBC3k78aIHVECsqYUaIfwB6PBu7ldIZvgdybem6NRmxEQmVX4VstNpxfoPySXlvwUo8Mt5aWrsZ38kFFJAwnPKWailtnzGeZqFCYh6u0yl2H9MyQVh4rP9bhf6zEXchYr8sycr3mscxWdhYpCSW-hPpf/s320/BookBrushImage-2022-5-8-12-836%20July%2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />My latest, DEATH IN THE NEW LAND, is out very soon, the 19<sup>th</sup>
of this month! <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’d like to catch you up on some of the places you can find
out more about this book. But first, I’ll tell you myself, since I wrote it.
This is the third in the People of the Wind series, which is what Untreed Reads
and I call my Neanderthal mystery series. As far as I know, I am the only
person writing prehistory mysteries. Lots of others write prehistory fiction,
but not mysteries. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blurb for this book: Enga Dancing Flower and her tribe have
reached a place they can stay in safety. Or have they?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s clear the groups of other settlers in the area do not
want more neighbors, and this is made even more evident when a male of Enga’s
tribe is murdered, and a baby is kidnapped.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The future of the tribe is immediately put into question.
Can Enga and her people find the killer and rescue the baby? Or will the
security and bright future the tribe has dreamed of fall to pieces?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An early reader posted an excellent review on July 7th,
which I need to tell you about. Amber Foxx, who writes the Mae Martin Psychic
Mysteries, no murder, just mysteries, lives where this book takes places, in what
is now New Mexico. It was quite a different place then, but Tucumcari Mountain
has not changed. Here’s the link to her review: <a href="https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/2022/07/07/a-new-mexico-mystery-review-death-in-the-new-land-by-kaye-george/">https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/2022/07/07/a-new-mexico-mystery-review-death-in-the-new-land-by-kaye-george/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the 16<sup>th</sup>, I’ll have a guest blog at Ladies of
Mystery. I try to answer the question about my main character: Where Did Enga
Dancing Flower Come From?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://ladiesofmystery.com/">https://ladiesofmystery.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, two together. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 20<sup>th</sup>, I’m blogging at Lyrical Pens, where cj
petterson has been kindly posted about my upcoming release about my motivation
for writing this series. Please check out her books, too!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.lyricalpens.com/">https://www.lyricalpens.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The very next day, George Cramer hosts me at <a href="https://gdcramer.com/george-cramer-blog/">https://gdcramer.com/george-cramer-blog/</a>
and I answer his fun interview questions. He’s an author, a PI, and Native
American of Karuk descent. His debut novel, THE MONA LISA SISTERS, came out in
2020. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the 24<sup>th</sup> you’ll be able to read very nice the
interview that Amber Foxx did. She wants to know all about how and why I write
theses. <a href="https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/">https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, to cap things off, my main character, Enga Dancing
Flower, tells about her day at Dru’s Musings. Come over that day for a
giveaway! It will run from 8/5-8/8, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://drusbookmusing.com/">https://drusbookmusing.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a reminder about the interview I had with Emily Dunn
in June. We covered a lot of topics!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2022/06/kaye-george-cozies-and-neanderthal.html">https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2022/06/kaye-george-cozies-and-neanderthal.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where to get my new novel? That’s easy—almost anywhere. Your
book store can order it, you can get it online, but you can save money getting
it directly from the publisher. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For a little something special, the code KRL when you’re
checking out, will give a donation to Kings River Life magazine, the place that
carries my reviews and lots of other great stuff. There are some sales on this
and my things at this link, also. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.untreedreads.com/author/kayegeorge/">https://www.untreedreads.com/author/kayegeorge/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-29918801484902218582022-06-22T17:42:00.004-05:002022-06-22T17:42:29.479-05:00 Something New Is Coming!<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And something else new is already here! I’ll give you that
one first. Emily Dunn is doing recordings for The Write Focus on podbean. She
just started doing interviews and I’m honored to be her first! She and I talked
about a lot of things, including my new People of the Wind, Neanderthal book,
my Imogene series, my cozy books, and my short stories. This is only half of
it, too. The next half will be available next Wednesday, and an audio of the
whole interview will go up then, too. Each half is about 30 minutes. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2022/06/kaye-george-cozies-and-neanderthal.html">https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2022/06/kaye-george-cozies-and-neanderthal.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She’s also doing a series on writing, which you can access
at the side of this page. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizHHiDZbQtVY1hNYilAt8dYxxvRHwvLAkoTavocHjr575vpSklLeg0D3nYOBlIJwYFt-uNHL8h_E8J3GTHAX1PS98VnBQhUWyC8fPDpifc9qoNxXB9hOwWrR-qvheCqw2wEZ9Vy8tK65k3_gJ7uNtVjE9gpmKWQa09XYrixm_2YSPKpyLJVtl3Ccw/s1640/4%20series%20FC,%20VS,%20Immy,%20Nean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1640" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizHHiDZbQtVY1hNYilAt8dYxxvRHwvLAkoTavocHjr575vpSklLeg0D3nYOBlIJwYFt-uNHL8h_E8J3GTHAX1PS98VnBQhUWyC8fPDpifc9qoNxXB9hOwWrR-qvheCqw2wEZ9Vy8tK65k3_gJ7uNtVjE9gpmKWQa09XYrixm_2YSPKpyLJVtl3Ccw/s320/4%20series%20FC,%20VS,%20Immy,%20Nean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s the other new thing, which you may have already
caught wind of, a new People of the Wind mystery, from Untreed Reads, DEATH IN
THE NEW LAND! This follows the Neanderthal tribe to the place they ended up,
which is modern-day New Mexico, around Tucumcari. I hope my efforts to describe
this remarkable landmark paint a picture of it for the reader. I also hope, of
course, that my readers can envision Enga Dancing Flower’s tribe and travails
they go through when they meet other peoples who are already inhabiting this
new, strange-to-them land. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This book will officially be published July 19<sup>th</sup>,
but you can preorder now from Untreed Read. For a little something special, the
code KRL when you’re checking out, will give a donation to Kings River Life
magazine, the place that carries my reviews and lots of other great stuff. There
are some sales on this and my things at this link, also.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.untreedreads.com/author/kayegeorge/">https://www.untreedreads.com/author/kayegeorge/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j_CoedSq3Uec2OZsT0AbfWXDZQMHwlzkhxf9-MptDuuaIvQNjegfahlnl1BM6L6M_j1-dZ9u2p1b-Cdebjz9MbZ5MD--jSqCON3pR4ovhZf4PI4FiOjA7j97Edtbr9D4gd5YtoAdA10fB9jrgbJgSTD30CW8BVUyCTL1eL8stWtojObkDn1M_467/s2500/DITNLDraft_Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j_CoedSq3Uec2OZsT0AbfWXDZQMHwlzkhxf9-MptDuuaIvQNjegfahlnl1BM6L6M_j1-dZ9u2p1b-Cdebjz9MbZ5MD--jSqCON3pR4ovhZf4PI4FiOjA7j97Edtbr9D4gd5YtoAdA10fB9jrgbJgSTD30CW8BVUyCTL1eL8stWtojObkDn1M_467/s320/DITNLDraft_Two.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-58580979006292358652022-06-08T00:00:00.001-05:002022-06-08T00:00:00.185-05:00The life of a mystery writer<p> 6 8 2022</p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>We have it so hard!
Here we are trucking along, trying to get a mystery published. Bragging to our
friends that we know how to commit the perfect crime. Doing all our research,
working hard on it. Then we decide to try it out. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i> <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Not our fault if we get
caught. We tried.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The above is what I imagine was going through the head of
Cynthia McDonnell, aspiring mystery writer, who decided to let her LEO husband,
Don McDonnell have it. Googling her name will bring up a lot of info on this
case. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here’s something about her case:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://forensicfiles.fandom.com/wiki/Cynthia_McDonnell">https://forensicfiles.fandom.com/wiki/Cynthia_McDonnell</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If that one goes away, which it might, here’s another
article:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://delanirbartlette.medium.com/cynthia-mcdonnell-murder-she-wrote-badly-4c2425ae1e50">https://delanirbartlette.medium.com/cynthia-mcdonnell-murder-she-wrote-badly-4c2425ae1e50</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">True confession: I watch old Forensic File reruns and sometimes
watch them more than once. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There’s another case now. I remembered watching this old one
when the current case was settled. This wife is a romance writer, so maybe she
had even less chance of success. She did write an essay entitled “How to Murder
your Husband” but maybe it wasn’t well done. I didn’t read it. She, Nancy
Brophy, was convicted last month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">But this older case is more interesting to me. I want to
know if anyone was critiquing her work, and what courses she took to learn how
to write a mystery. Because this was far from perfect! She did everything
wrong! First, she said it was a break in. But she forget to make it LOOK like a
break in. Then she decided to tell them it was a suicide, and concocted a big,
wild, fake story to go with that. But she had no idea how to make it look like
a suicide. It didn’t. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The part that makes an impression on me is that her
bookshelf was used to make her look guilty. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Her bookshelf, from the show:<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5KBAL6rhyY5LefWFv-WA61zaF6HGxrpNKsNw37041lE3Drb1nMqpVH6vrupVkwIbgdth3RXPRiPPp12nQ_A1zqt64RG8gGAeZIMrO9F0XVSuwJER4LtGLQyxKicTi-qgSTKIRZo8HgTYm9vw1TdqRVT2gw8kBIYXzCGKzp-4VW3rWsLqX8D2jPaD/s4000/6%208%20C%20McDonnell%20books%20IMG_20220604_024337823_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5KBAL6rhyY5LefWFv-WA61zaF6HGxrpNKsNw37041lE3Drb1nMqpVH6vrupVkwIbgdth3RXPRiPPp12nQ_A1zqt64RG8gGAeZIMrO9F0XVSuwJER4LtGLQyxKicTi-qgSTKIRZo8HgTYm9vw1TdqRVT2gw8kBIYXzCGKzp-4VW3rWsLqX8D2jPaD/s320/6%208%20C%20McDonnell%20books%20IMG_20220604_024337823_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">My bookshelf, photo taken yesterday:<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQGgbqHLkizmPCx2JNJYwQpmfbwOxgxqx2F1zwmxA5dLG8L4ObiAisE5YlLB8izNM0ZXFQQHJdBdrgQUISxWwKDkSiBimswePCtJxczcdYXOJ5hes1gMLc_BUvzbj1vF_FJ01REnRjDDQBBiPNxqiFnWsKS-phpFnHXPGlZ4tVyDdGfAkgL-UzI9V/s4000/6%208%20my%20books%20IMG_20220604_081123270_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQGgbqHLkizmPCx2JNJYwQpmfbwOxgxqx2F1zwmxA5dLG8L4ObiAisE5YlLB8izNM0ZXFQQHJdBdrgQUISxWwKDkSiBimswePCtJxczcdYXOJ5hes1gMLc_BUvzbj1vF_FJ01REnRjDDQBBiPNxqiFnWsKS-phpFnHXPGlZ4tVyDdGfAkgL-UzI9V/s320/6%208%20my%20books%20IMG_20220604_081123270_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">See why this worries me? Mystery writers, I’ll bet all our
shelves look like this, yes?<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br />Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-85719052693177789782022-05-05T03:00:00.010-05:002022-05-05T03:00:00.200-05:00My adventures last month AND a teaser<p><span style="font-size: large;">5 5 2022 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We were all so excited! Going to a real conference for the
first time in a few years (for me). Everyone attending Malice Domestic was
required to submit proof of vaccination, so we felt so safe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Too safe. Most of us ditched our masks for the weekend in
the hotel in Bethesda MD, and even hugged each other. It felt so good. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We loved having a crowded hotel room get together Friday night with libations and goodies. Fun and crowded and loud.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s the panel I was on. The subject was blended genres,
as all of us write something a little different from each other. It went very
well!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xXFjZXEn1p6Bnx46uqs46FGlB0Q51lRPWHfmakTRQaAPw4-U4hYCZsUh5YpT6i8SYRJtvHP_cZBvfvPzrXlZlMn6F-bh6HRA9NKq-wgBkWcgPcF3RAQLbW48Nb0ceB15GFwUNcRyRiuUfmEeMh20b1MzI-lB8gxW3iYZqBzROCvRqr3J4n2p1aOv/s720/blended%20genres%20panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xXFjZXEn1p6Bnx46uqs46FGlB0Q51lRPWHfmakTRQaAPw4-U4hYCZsUh5YpT6i8SYRJtvHP_cZBvfvPzrXlZlMn6F-bh6HRA9NKq-wgBkWcgPcF3RAQLbW48Nb0ceB15GFwUNcRyRiuUfmEeMh20b1MzI-lB8gxW3iYZqBzROCvRqr3J4n2p1aOv/s320/blended%20genres%20panel.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Moderator, Elizabeth Crowens, me, Marilyn Levinson, Leslie Karst, Paula Benson, and Kathryn O'Sullivan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I wish I had a picture of our banquet table. I sat at the
one hosted by Leslie Karst and Ellen Byron. Ellen won the Agatha for Best
Novel! That was awfully fun. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Then we left. And that wasn’t fun. You may have heard about
this. Many, many of us came away with a case of covid. This late variant, at
least, is not lethal to the vaxxed. But it wasn’t easy either! I had a terribly
sore throat for about three days, and am still having some brain fog, fatigue,
and my sense of taste is a bit off. It’s not gone, just off. The worst part of
my being ill was that I was staying at my daughter’s house to have a fun week.
Instead, I made them sick, too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So I isolated 5 days in their guest room, flew home on May 1<sup>st</sup>,
and am now masking for five days at home. Honestly, though, I think I’ll mask
for the foreseeable future. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s the teaser! I just got the cover of my third People
of the Wind novel, DEATH IN THE NEW LAND, which will be out July 19<sup>th</sup>!
There will be preorder information soon, too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr_w2VMw9jlQUMYhKrkXo8c-spo2qJ1UrCsSS6h9cJHydDpESZ54bEa7iXfh6L3GkQE6BnQWWdo5-_i1cCFZqV6MlK1OCUawUsOoMtHNxGc40fTd9F49k5pXH33V3HuA0eN1PF80kjNpJ88O4KuGQ7z9qTQ1J6NAoyLyOuKYaShLykPbHT1FW3rXv/s2500/DITNLDraft_Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr_w2VMw9jlQUMYhKrkXo8c-spo2qJ1UrCsSS6h9cJHydDpESZ54bEa7iXfh6L3GkQE6BnQWWdo5-_i1cCFZqV6MlK1OCUawUsOoMtHNxGc40fTd9F49k5pXH33V3HuA0eN1PF80kjNpJ88O4KuGQ7z9qTQ1J6NAoyLyOuKYaShLykPbHT1FW3rXv/s320/DITNLDraft_Two.jpg" width="205" /></span></a></div><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Talk about a roller coaster ride. I’m getting dizzy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-40131196001362948462022-03-23T00:00:00.007-05:002022-03-23T00:00:00.205-05:00We CAN Do Something<p class="MsoNormal">3 23 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m sure you are all watching, as horrified as I am, as the Russian
Bear attempts to annihilate Ukraine, out of frustration from not being able to
subdue them. There are a few charities I’ve found that seem legitimate, and
some that really don’t. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u5OsYwGTtA8KRlspDm3HR171i1ZOTkOKI7v6I_I9_yBle5V4sDxPIv5HIXBbtmy5-h6tDvolCOZQP0SiGcNhBR41OZLZaEBjqaNcZPGYmNaRqq5Wq0JxI_f60dd_yqUEHWinAcee8FmmwbXeeknq3VEHRQxR7hKhSGFhE8ud-s6Sh1fa9v_d4EMZ/s1920/ukraine-gcb978f6a9_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1920" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u5OsYwGTtA8KRlspDm3HR171i1ZOTkOKI7v6I_I9_yBle5V4sDxPIv5HIXBbtmy5-h6tDvolCOZQP0SiGcNhBR41OZLZaEBjqaNcZPGYmNaRqq5Wq0JxI_f60dd_yqUEHWinAcee8FmmwbXeeknq3VEHRQxR7hKhSGFhE8ud-s6Sh1fa9v_d4EMZ/s320/ukraine-gcb978f6a9_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I have TWO opportunities to participate in something
helpful. The FIRST that I’ll mention is the Untreed Reads donation. Here’s a
copy of the March 9<sup>th</sup> tweet:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Untreed Reads</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">@UntreedReads<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">·Mar 9</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Purchase any paperback or hardcover from our website and
we'll donate $2 to the World Central Kitchen, providing meals to #Ukraine️ refugees. Enter code
UKRAINE at checkout. <a href="https://untreedreads.com/product-category/paperbacks-hardcovers-25-off-everyday/">https://untreedreads.com/product-category/paperbacks-hardcovers-25-off-everyday/</a></b>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">@WCKitchen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My People of the Wind books are published here, DEATH IN THE
TIME OF ICE and DEATH ON THE TREK. I put a promo photo together to move the
first book, and it’s also to celebrate the NEW CONTRACT for the third in this
series, DEATH IN THE NEW LAND. (The contract also includes publication of a new
short story collection.) I’m thrilled about both of these. Here’s the photo I
posted that got an astonishing amount of attention. Astonishing to me, anyway. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qBCpDC8AM2WLwVgj28YWdN5AOr2yxyhQh9qf6nzysaV6cIF-SYTiu9DCKPhC9FoFJfTqNype-_yZxpmbYRxj4geCozwR6fl7oSQ-jRZLqDhtgoLY_bJEiU7lhiMOb-ELImhXBU3pfxzrT1wUEOeFqZTRQ_jebBBoCrR2Bn5VtqjeYaSMfSgK154P/s1350/BookBrushImage-2022-3-6-13-2855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qBCpDC8AM2WLwVgj28YWdN5AOr2yxyhQh9qf6nzysaV6cIF-SYTiu9DCKPhC9FoFJfTqNype-_yZxpmbYRxj4geCozwR6fl7oSQ-jRZLqDhtgoLY_bJEiU7lhiMOb-ELImhXBU3pfxzrT1wUEOeFqZTRQ_jebBBoCrR2Bn5VtqjeYaSMfSgK154P/s320/BookBrushImage-2022-3-6-13-2855.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m equally excited about the SECOND opportunity to do
something for this nation. A lot of authors are participating in and auction,
called Authors for Ukraine. The bidding will start on 3/29, but you can get a
peek at what’s on the block now at:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.32auctions.com/AuthorsforUkraine">https://www.32auctions.com/AuthorsforUkraine</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsforUkraine">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsforUkraine</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you want a peek at my block (my Vintage Sweets series, authographed)<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/95545/auctions/120997/auction_items/3618768">https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/95545/auctions/120997/auction_items/3618768</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJN-aMPfY0KyPcK_yyCbwJKvjXMXLP_OWw3mrHws-ImNTtMicU1akM29cSZt3FiEaYjd4syTdF0OBC7YzoeQJiisw5DJeFp0Ogbp3Wrx6Yv01LJmv749aBuhBMg5CxXbaq-zg70cfE0MV9EaLpKX3SK-NcIfu8m-uo0Z7vblblMGC08k8yMH2mz40/s550/Kaye_s550.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJN-aMPfY0KyPcK_yyCbwJKvjXMXLP_OWw3mrHws-ImNTtMicU1akM29cSZt3FiEaYjd4syTdF0OBC7YzoeQJiisw5DJeFp0Ogbp3Wrx6Yv01LJmv749aBuhBMg5CxXbaq-zg70cfE0MV9EaLpKX3SK-NcIfu8m-uo0Z7vblblMGC08k8yMH2mz40/s320/Kaye_s550.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>One of the authors, the awesome Gabriel Valjean put this together for the event. </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkg55NmDTRN-hqjawDpYCqeeZC2JRlFhqjAb1njEms74XDUztN8ER9Ni6BkI0Vno_wQ5N9ZlzAKDOjt2WgWFkdWIEQMZuHomrIKW46RErfGljE1EXhsVlLJYXAADeUecPuIsYDoLxI8-l9OZHk-PQVe2zAUGHbqChXwge7l_jqtIhl4NrGOqVYRov/s526/277096747_108950798415637_511634329530186235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkg55NmDTRN-hqjawDpYCqeeZC2JRlFhqjAb1njEms74XDUztN8ER9Ni6BkI0Vno_wQ5N9ZlzAKDOjt2WgWFkdWIEQMZuHomrIKW46RErfGljE1EXhsVlLJYXAADeUecPuIsYDoLxI8-l9OZHk-PQVe2zAUGHbqChXwge7l_jqtIhl4NrGOqVYRov/s320/277096747_108950798415637_511634329530186235_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">***There’s <b>one other
thing</b> that one Ukrainian swears is helping. A Facebook friend and fellow
writer, Anthony Burton, posted this yesterday:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For all the Reiki
practitioners or those who have an interest in Reiki... this comes from William
Lee Rand, founder of the International Center for Reiki Training.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>------------<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Please continue to
pray for the situation in Ukraine and send Reiki. The latest information
indicates that it is working! Also, please read the message sent from the
Ukrainian soldiers below that was translated from Ukrainian to English:<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The Warriors in
Ukraine are witnessing the following:<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i> </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“We are feeling all
your prayers and support for us. Sometimes something really mysterious happens,
as if someone's invisible hand is actually taking the bullets and shells away
from us, and then making them fly past us. We emerge victorious from very
difficult situations as if someone is accompanying us. It seems like we become
invisible to the enemy, while it appears we gain the ability to see in the
dark. At the same time, we seem to know what to do and how to do it. This
inspires and gives us strength. We believe that the Lord Jesus Himself is with
Ukraine. Please do not stop the prayers. Continue to support us and keep on
praying. We are in great need of all of you, and your prayers and support.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>Maybe this is the most important thing we can do. </p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-18518820911546332102022-01-19T00:02:00.005-06:002022-01-19T00:06:23.522-06:00Things Every Writer Should Know about Taxes--you might be doing this wrong! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuT9j06x9nT47UPaRijVTRpR-E7aFoZWa0XTIu15kpIdBj-xMevJa1ap-dSm19eelSmCUdKPZO0eSpFOhnm_N00fuXPX4z8w8QwLnjKlIef0QOTNEqVUpHpTSsgQJFL6GKEGimZunbrjgb14sbe4JAtAHJKiR7EKsmLPFJpS12oy2jfak3YLuOkDkj=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuT9j06x9nT47UPaRijVTRpR-E7aFoZWa0XTIu15kpIdBj-xMevJa1ap-dSm19eelSmCUdKPZO0eSpFOhnm_N00fuXPX4z8w8QwLnjKlIef0QOTNEqVUpHpTSsgQJFL6GKEGimZunbrjgb14sbe4JAtAHJKiR7EKsmLPFJpS12oy2jfak3YLuOkDkj=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I put this together for my writer friends from a
presentation I did for the Authors Guild of Tennessee last week. I cleaned it
up a bit, but it’s basically the speech I made, with the addition of links here
for you. The last time I did a blog on taxes was January 2018, so I’m overdue!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">[[It’s helpful to follow along with a 1040, a Schedule 1 and
a Schedule C. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s1.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s1.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And this one, for home office deductions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8829.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8829.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8829.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8829.pdf</a>
]]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I hope I can help you start off the new year right. We hope
a lot of things are different this year! But taxes—we have to do those every
year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">First of all, are you taking business deductions for your
writing business?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Show of hands. (Only 3 in the room were filing taxes for
their writing business!)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Let’s start by squashing the misconception, which is
sometimes even believed by tax professionals, that writers can only report a
loss and deduct expenses for 3 years, under the <b>hobby law</b>. Section 183 of the tax code lays out the “Hobby Loss”
exemption. This says that you cannot deduct expenses for side activities,
hobbies. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">However, such people as <b>visual
artists, musicians, writers, and dancers</b> are exempt IF they can prove to
the IRS that they making serious attempts to earn a profit in the future, if
they’re not making one now. <b>Good records
are a must</b>. Keep track of all of your time and expenses. For us, it’s an
indefinite period, as long as you’re trying and you can prove it. The IRS
recognizes that it can take years to turn a profit doing these things. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/earning-side-income-is-it-a-hobby-or-a-business">https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/earning-side-income-is-it-a-hobby-or-a-business</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://arts4nh.org/arts4nh-blog/profession-or-mere-hobby-dont-let-the-irs-decide">https://arts4nh.org/arts4nh-blog/profession-or-mere-hobby-dont-let-the-irs-decide</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs/small-business-self-employed-other-business/income-expenses/income-expenses">https://www.irs.gov/faqs/small-business-self-employed-other-business/income-expenses/income-expenses</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is not easy information to find! I have to look for it
every year that I do a tax presentation or blog post. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here’s what you must do, detailed in those links:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You must generally consider these factors in determining
whether an activity is a business engaged in making a profit:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether you carry on the activity in a businesslike manner
and maintain complete and accurate books and records.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether you have personal motives in carrying on the
activity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether the time and effort you put into the activity
indicate you intend to make it profitable.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether you depend on income from the activity for your
livelihood.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether your losses are due to circumstances beyond your
control (or are normal in the startup phase of your type of business).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether you or your advisors have the knowledge needed to
carry on the activity as a successful business.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether you were successful in making a profit in similar
activities in the past.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether the activity makes a profit in some years and how
much profit it makes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whether you can expect to make a future profit from the
appreciation of the assets used in the activity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You may find more information on this topic in <b>section 1.183-2(b)</b> of the Federal Tax
Regulations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subject-group-ECFRcc67ec453a5e514/section-1.183-2">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subject-group-ECFRcc67ec453a5e514/section-1.183-2</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This year, you can file <b>from
January 24-April 18.</b> Although you probably won’t have all of your income
forms until later than that. <b>1099s don’t
have to be out until Jan 31.</b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">OK, we’ve established that you CAN take a loss and deduct it
from you income for your taxes. Now, what do you use for filing taxes as a
writer<b>? It’s a form 1040, schedule C. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You’re <b>trucking along
doing your 1040</b>, either by yourself, or with software, and you end up with
line 15, your taxable income. Just above there, though, is <b>line 8</b>, which takes the figure from <b>Sched 1, line 10</b>. <b>Sched 1,
line 3,</b> is the one we like. That’s the figure from <b>Sched C.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Now that we’ve gotten that tacked down, let’s talk about
that Sched C.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Schedule C form can be found here:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Detailed instructions are at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>How many of you are
familiar with this form? How many of you file it each year?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can do taxes several ways. You can do it all by
yourself, following the directions. You can use software such as Turbo Tax or
H&R Block. And you can have someone prepare your taxes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>This is when you need
to make sure the hobby rule isn’t used against you. Many tax professionals get
this wrong. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you’re not claiming expense for writing and if you want
to, I’ll go over some of the line items. I’m using the lines that were from
last year. They may change a bit this year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">At the top, the proprietor is you, and your SSN goes beside
that. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>A</b> Principal
business. This will involve entering a code. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I use “writer” ad my profession, “Arts, Entertainment,
Recreation” as the business category and<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>B I use 711510 as the
code. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>C</b> I use my pen
name as my business name. My bank account is in that name as a DBA.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">But if you don’t have a pen name, you can leave this blank.
If you have a name for your self-publishing business, I would use that. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>D</b> is your EIN. If
you’ve established a DBA, you’ll have gotten in EIN for the IRS. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>F</b> I use “cash” as
my accounting method. It’s the easiest to use for a simple business. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>G</b> Always say YES
you participated materially. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>H</b> This is where
you tell them it’s a brand new business, or that you paid anyone with a 1099. I
think that’s unlikely, unless you do have employees. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>PART 1</b> is your
income<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>#1</b> Add up
everything you made and put that here. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I doubt you took <b>returns</b>,
but if you did, that goes in this section. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You will probably have “<b>cost
of goods sold</b>”. That’s what it cost you to make your books. That is
calculated below, in <b>Part III</b>, and
we’ll get to that. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>PART II<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Now we’re ready for the fun stuff, the expenses!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This is where you chop off the money you would owe without
doing this. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Advertising is straight forward. Everything you spent on PR.
Bookmarks, mailing out books to reviewers, online ads, etc. (Mailing can be
here or under postage—doesn’t matter, just be consistent from year to year.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">At the beginning of the C instructions, they tell you what’s
new for this year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The first thing mentioned is almost always the mileage rate,
since that changes every year. For 2021, it’s 56 cents a mile, a decrease from
last year. To use this deduction, you have to know what your mileage is, of
course. I hope you’ve all kept track of the miles you drive to this meeting,
miles to buy paper and toner and supplies. Also miles to business meetings,
lunches, and dinners—which aren’t very many for last year, I’ll bet. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>There is a worksheet
for line 9, car and truck expenses</b>. If you didn’t keep track, it would be a
good idea to estimate them. You have to know what your total mileage for the
year was, to deduct car expenses. You can use the standard, or actual car
expenses, but your amount will be a portion, depending on the total miles
divided by the miles for business. If you don’t know your mileage on January 1<sup>st</sup>
of 2020 and 2021, you can estimate it. <b>You
count mileage, parking fees, and tolls. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">OK, that’s <b>line 9</b>,
mileage and car stuff. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I put my dues paid to the organizations I belong to on <b>line 10</b>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">My only other expense for 2020 was office expense,<b> line 18</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I put paper, toner, pencils, that sort of thing here. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Where you put the expenses isn’t as important as being
consistent from year to year. If you count postage as an office expense, always
put it there. If you put it under advertising, then keep putting it there. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Line 24, travel and meals<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>A is travel, b is
meals<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>A </b>The best
deductions, for me, are conferences. That money adds up! Hotel, plane,
conference registration, sometimes promo material that I bring to give away. I
lament that there haven’t been any of these for the last two years. I’m hoping
that will change now. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>B meals </b>They have
always been deducted at 50% of the actual figure. However, there’s a change
this time. <b>Restaurant business meals are
100%!</b> I’ve never seen this before. That applies to “food and beverages
provided by a restaurant and paid for or incurred after December 31, 2020, and
before January 1, 2023. So all of last year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Then we get to line
30, use of the home<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">I take the standard for this, doing it the simple way. You
enter the square footage of your house and the square footage of the office,
and there’s a standard deduction for normal utilities and house expense. There
is a limit of 300 sq ft for the home office. Use <b>form 8829</b> for this. You add up all of your items, mortgage
interest, real estate taxes, insurance, rent, repairs and maintenance,
utilities, etc. And deduct the percentage belonging to your office space. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Once you use the simplified method, you are locked into it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">So, at the bottom of <b>Sched
C, on line 31</b>, you get your profit or loss. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">That goes on <b>Line 3,
of 1040 sched 1, contributing to line 10, which goes on line 8 of the 1040. </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>There are a few
things mentioned here for 2022:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-heres-whats-new-and-what-to-consider-when-filing-in-2022">https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-heres-whats-new-and-what-to-consider-when-filing-in-2022</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">When you buy <b>new
equipment, electronics of office furniture, </b>you can deduct those all at
once or depreciate them with section 179. I never depreciate these things
myself, just charge them in the year I purchase them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Pub 946 has some details on this. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946">https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This says that, “For tax years beginning in 2021, the
maximum section 179 expense deduction is $1,050,000.” There is also information
on depreciating your race horses. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can subscribe to tax tips:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/subscribe-to-irs-tax-tips">https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/subscribe-to-irs-tax-tips</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> But be warned that
you’ll get lots of them, every day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I hope this helps my writer friends who are new to this.
Good luck!<o:p></o:p></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-hyphenate: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Other links that may be useful, or may not be<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946">https://www.irs.gov/publications/p946</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subject-group-ECFRcc67ec453a5e514/section-1.183-1">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subject-group-ECFRcc67ec453a5e514/section-1.183-1</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subject-group-ECFRcc67ec453a5e514/section-1.183-2">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-26/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-1/subject-group-ECFRcc67ec453a5e514/section-1.183-2</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/faqs/small-business-self-employed-other-business/income-expenses/income-expenses">https://www.irs.gov/faqs/small-business-self-employed-other-business/income-expenses/income-expenses</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://arts4nh.org/arts4nh-blog/profession-or-mere-hobby-dont-let-the-irs-decide">https://arts4nh.org/arts4nh-blog/profession-or-mere-hobby-dont-let-the-irs-decide</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sc.pdf</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">royalties<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-525">https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-525</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">http://travelswithkaye.blogspot.com/2018/02/taxes-for-writers.html<o:p></o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-83793421587872393362021-12-08T00:00:00.007-06:002021-12-08T06:51:05.976-06:00Habits, Old and New<p>12/7 Habits, Old and New</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkQ85hoLtuD5Y2sVw4PAXdo62I1rziYdUSRIuvAhohScgN0pSN2iWNUKevirHr_LCV5zlDJewWZR_cW1TJI14p1j-IjIfBDe0cs3RAfGZJ0WV69PpnImVLK1HdU3QbTMhVY-PkDOp_9PtQ3YTjXz4bvwW0UeNRWKldeSiUjdVhx5KmNz-9CUV82BJP=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkQ85hoLtuD5Y2sVw4PAXdo62I1rziYdUSRIuvAhohScgN0pSN2iWNUKevirHr_LCV5zlDJewWZR_cW1TJI14p1j-IjIfBDe0cs3RAfGZJ0WV69PpnImVLK1HdU3QbTMhVY-PkDOp_9PtQ3YTjXz4bvwW0UeNRWKldeSiUjdVhx5KmNz-9CUV82BJP=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">It’s nearly the end of the year. Good riddance again, right?
I hope we don’t say that again next year at this time, but you never know. In
fact, we’ve found out so much that we didn’t know—that no one knew—about the
new virus, and what to do about it. Maybe we’ll be better prepared should
another one come along in the lifetime of anyone living today.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, what I wanted to write about is the subject of
taking stock. We add up what we got accomplished this year, and set down, at
least in our minds, what we want to make happen next year. I know, the million
dollar lottery, NY Times bestseller list, true love, those are on some lists, I’m
sure. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want to talk about habits, though. Many of my habits,
lifelong habits, did not serve me well for the pandemic. One thing I’ve always
liked to do when I standing in a line, like at the grocery store, is to try to
chat with those around me. The way to initiate that is with a friendly smile
and an observation of something happening, or a compliment on the person’s
clothing, hair, nails. This last one fulfills part of my mission to try to make
a person’s day better. Also, if they tell me something interesting…well…everything’s
material. So that’s my selfish mission. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKpXJ-EqP-jCHnEuiw1nikBYVt9eD-J4g7iP1I1A6rMftepVtOW7OrNio5S0f9NHKwKvNdDRjNXTb-obMCA2zqfSjX6TufSKESm89-If77x-Ru1ikpMOM0q9QfQraHZvkpcSj3Fl37PF8Iq-LXH5hrlezhK6I42cjKiR_zWfotUFs0wznhjWX_8YE7=s2048" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKpXJ-EqP-jCHnEuiw1nikBYVt9eD-J4g7iP1I1A6rMftepVtOW7OrNio5S0f9NHKwKvNdDRjNXTb-obMCA2zqfSjX6TufSKESm89-If77x-Ru1ikpMOM0q9QfQraHZvkpcSj3Fl37PF8Iq-LXH5hrlezhK6I42cjKiR_zWfotUFs0wznhjWX_8YE7=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BUT, this is really hard to do when you’re not going to the
grocery store. Then when you do go, you’re standing at least six feet from
everyone (ideally) and wearing a mask. I know, you can smile with your eyes,
but it’s hard to see. And you’re six or eight feet away. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was time last year to form new habits. Buying lots of
toilet paper. (I heard, knock on wood, that it’s scarce AGAIN.) Using hand
sanitizer, opening doors with your shirt tail or your elbow, pressing elevator
buttons with your knuckle. Washing your hand a lot. Making sure you have a mask
in the car before you set out. Coming back to get one because you forgot to do
that. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHO8MkUPdLmaAhQyASbOUSWVLqqC2D_QEn60UKnP9MaqEZ01hseD5Y0r5I-UhwtxjeVB-xOWq6n0n59y10sMkH6Gs8hTNiYS_QcRn23D13VMLTn5Ixsd5F6zBRHiIKPAh_vK5lXBDQTBDodCFcNfqQzsrOFXLZ6UvqlgsVxtbQW8da9PQ3-rNjRlro=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHO8MkUPdLmaAhQyASbOUSWVLqqC2D_QEn60UKnP9MaqEZ01hseD5Y0r5I-UhwtxjeVB-xOWq6n0n59y10sMkH6Gs8hTNiYS_QcRn23D13VMLTn5Ixsd5F6zBRHiIKPAh_vK5lXBDQTBDodCFcNfqQzsrOFXLZ6UvqlgsVxtbQW8da9PQ3-rNjRlro=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I wonder which of these are habits I’ll keep up. If any. I’ll
admit, I’ve gotten a little obsessed with buying TP. I find it hard to not get
is every time I shop. That should be self-limiting when my closet runs
completely out of space, one would think. I hope, though, that someday I’ll
quit buying it and won’t need to stockpile any more. 2022? 2023? Who knows? No
one.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW0lXENFJ7ZgN_vfX-3-H_xe4XGG62wUU9kc-2UjXmHu-WKudBApAwhckyGUNnjQjBaZ4k7MPheKkahjGG0CgeXGXPNuzj8lT8U4JCppXJh7HqlQ3iZ12Fzc8EICyMNqm-nY3dmyeUbX925f9qGoy3gqjWs2BvQZ6akOoKHjNK9XtfVXrD9_WQjG3y=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW0lXENFJ7ZgN_vfX-3-H_xe4XGG62wUU9kc-2UjXmHu-WKudBApAwhckyGUNnjQjBaZ4k7MPheKkahjGG0CgeXGXPNuzj8lT8U4JCppXJh7HqlQ3iZ12Fzc8EICyMNqm-nY3dmyeUbX925f9qGoy3gqjWs2BvQZ6akOoKHjNK9XtfVXrD9_WQjG3y=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><i>2021, 2022 images from Pixabay.com</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Photos are mine<o:p></o:p></i></p><div><i><br /></i></div>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-36788677201762657122021-10-13T15:53:00.001-05:002021-10-13T15:53:57.426-05:00My Flash Fiction ONE WOMAN’S TRASH <p class="MsoNormal">10 13 2021 </p><p class="MsoNormal">In my newsletter on Tuesday, I talked about the little flash
fiction story that won a contest in a local newsletter. I also am offering the
book I won (on how to write flash fiction) in a drawing. You can still enter
the drawing, which I’ll do on Sunday if you want to sign up for my newsletter! <a href="http://tinyletter.com/KGnews">http://tinyletter.com/KGnews</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Making good on the offer to share my winning story, I’m
putting it here on the blog today. Hope you enjoy it! It’s very gentle—no one
even dies. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">ONE WOMAN’S TRASH <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Kaye George<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">word count: 997<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nancy Beth stumbled as she hauled
the roller trash bin down the driveway to the curb. It was cold and dark. She
silently cursed the absence of her husband. This had always been his job. She
stopped herself before she became angry at him for dying, remembering how he
had always done chores with no complaining. Why had she forgotten the trash
until so late? She couldn’t see very well at night, the way her eyes were these
days, with that cataract her doctor wanted to wait to remove. Also, this time
of year, skunks came out at night. She could always smell them the next morning
in the yard. Sometimes she even smelled them inside the house if they sprayed
too near. Nancy had never met up with a skunk face to face in the wild and she
never wanted to. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When she got back inside without
any wildlife encounters, she washed her hands and dropped onto the couch to
catch her breath. Everything seemed to be such an effort lately. She sorely
missed Harvey. He had not only taken out the trash, he’d taken over doing the
dishes and laundry for the last few years, telling her that she had done it
long enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There were so many reasons she
missed him. Being alone during the time of COVID had been hard. She hadn’t had
anyone to talk to in the evenings, no one to warm the bed, no one to hug. And
she loved him. Things were better now, but she didn’t have the energy to do
much. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The discards in the trash bin
weighed on her mind that night. She had finally, after three years, gone
through Harvey’s last few things. Months ago, her son had helped her take the
wearable clothing to the charity store and the other kids had picked out what
they wanted as keepsakes of their father. What was left, besides what she held onto,
was worthless. Some worn out shoes, old clothing with holes and torn places, a
down vest that had leaked most of the stuffing years ago. Still, she thought
about those things sitting out by the curb. And missed him even more. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John shook the leash and Candy
came running, ready for her early morning walk. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Who’s a good girl?” he crooned,
squatting down and putting his face near hers while he fastened the leash.
Candy’s tail whipped harder than ever. She knew she was a good girl. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">They set out on the usual route,
three blocks up the street, then turn around and come back three blocks home. The
sun was warm on his head and shoulders and birdsong serenaded them. John felt
good. Finally. He would always miss Carol, his deceased wife, but getting
Candy, a beagle mix, from the shelter six months ago had been the best idea
he’d had in ages. Before Candy, he’d been challenged by learning to cook and
clean, all the things Carol had done for him. But he felt years younger and
stronger since he’d started walking Candy every day. She was someone to talk
to, and to cuddle with on the couch watching TV in the evening. Or during the
day, for that matter. His days and nights sometimes ran together since Covid. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When they reached their
turning-around point, Candy reversed, but John wanted to stay outdoors and pulled
her forward. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Let’s go another block today, girl.
Expand our horizons.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She eagerly agreed and surged
ahead. Halfway up the block, a trash bin teetered precariously over the curb.
Candy lunged at it and knocked it over with a clatter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s not good, Candy.” John
watched the contents strew into the street. Before he could rein her in, Candy
tore into one of the plastic bags. “No!” he shouted, and pulled her back, but
she had a blue vest in her mouth, a down vest, mostly flat and devoid of the
filling. Men’s clothing scattered from the bag, some items clinging to the
vest. He wondered if there had been a divorce at this house. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“What am I going to do with you?”
He pried the garment from her teeth and looped her leash around the mailbox on
the other side of the driveway, then knelt and started to gather the clothing to
stuff it back into the bag. No good. The bag had a huge hole now. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A shadow fell over him and he
looked up to see a woman standing over him, shaking her head and smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John jumped up. “I’m so sorry. My
dog knocked over your trash bin and pulled these things out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I know. I saw it from the house.”
Her smile was radiant. She held a new plastic bag, which he took and filled
with the clothing, and a couple of pair of shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When he was finished, he made sure
the bin was secure, not threatening to fall off the edge of the curb. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I put it out too far,” she said.
“It was partly my fault. It’s hard to see in the dark.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Unable to contain his nosiness,
John asked, “Did your husband get a lot of new clothes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She shook her head and her lovely face
crumpled slightly. “No, I just got around to getting rid of the last of his
things. He passed away a few years ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I lost my wife a few years ago, too.
It’s been hard, hasn’t it? I’m John.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He liked how easy it was to talk
to her. “Can I take you out for coffee? To make up for tipping your trash
over?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She liked that he was kind, and that
he had a dog. You could trust dog lovers. But she would go slowly. “Yes, coffee
would be nice. Thank you. I’m Nancy Beth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When she leaned down to pat
Candy’s head, the dog licked her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One woman’s trash was another
man’s treasure, John thought. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><b>Copyright
2021 Kaye George<o:p></o:p></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-57128633596361502402021-09-29T00:00:00.000-05:002021-09-29T00:00:00.293-05:00On Writing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7ufMXp1b9g/YVOr3VDxhLI/AAAAAAAAIe0/lWL3EOAWwGYg3bT87l4R8tsqJ8QRSERNACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9%2B29%2Bgeorge%2Bokeeffe%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7ufMXp1b9g/YVOr3VDxhLI/AAAAAAAAIe0/lWL3EOAWwGYg3bT87l4R8tsqJ8QRSERNACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9%2B29%2Bgeorge%2Bokeeffe%2Bquote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">9 29 2021 On Writing<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I just want to touch briefly on something I’ve had on my
mind before it vanishes, as those things tend to do sometimes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been reading, in a couple of places, about contrasts in
writing styles. The gist of these essays were that there are two styles,
likened to nails and headlights. You either nail down you plot ahead of time, or
see only as far as a headlight as you go along. These styles are also called “pantsing”
and “plotting.” It’s been my feeling, and I thing I’ve written it here before,
that every writer is actually a combination of these two. No one plots every
single detail before they start writing and never changes a thing. Also, no one
starts writing having no idea at all what they’re going to write about. Like, what
shall I touch upon today? Ice cream, romance, murders, windows, game shows? No,
the story and the characters unfold for both kinds of writers, for every writer.
That’s why this is called a creative process. The story is being created. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One of my sources is this article from the Suite T blog, an
offshoot of Southern Writers Magazine:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://southernwritersmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/09/do-i-use-nails-or-do-i-use-headlights.html">https://southernwritersmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/09/do-i-use-nails-or-do-i-use-headlights.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">But I have to add one more thing that helps me to say what I
want to say in my fiction, as I headlight and nail along. That’s a quote by
Georgia O’Keeffe that hangs on my office wall. I bought it in the O’Keeffe
museum in New Mexico (which you should visit if you get a change). My photo
doesn’t capture the fine print, which is: “Details are confusing. It is only by
selection, by elimination, by emphasis, that we get at the real meaning of
things.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Image is mine<o:p></o:p></i></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-2325650254875855212021-08-25T11:02:00.005-05:002021-08-25T11:02:52.380-05:00The Winner!<p> Aaaand, drum roll...we have a winner for Lorie Lewis Ham's brand new book!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmoliOv50LQ/YRbIfixHVyI/AAAAAAAAIHc/lJ1v6yTxwJQ0z0PssoTjLzKBvYbModyAQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/OneofUs_ebookcover%2Bfinal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmoliOv50LQ/YRbIfixHVyI/AAAAAAAAIHc/lJ1v6yTxwJQ0z0PssoTjLzKBvYbModyAQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/OneofUs_ebookcover%2Bfinal.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Congrats to Grandmas Cootie! Whom, I am positive, does NOT have cooties. I've seen her name around enough to know she's an avid reader and supporter of mystery fiction. </p><p>For everyone else, you can nip over to </p><p>Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Us-Tower-District-Mystery/dp/B09BDVRKH3/">https://www.amazon.com/One-Us-Tower-District-Mystery/dp/B09BDVRKH3/</a></p><p>B&N Nook: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-of-us-lorie-lewis-ham/1139990160?">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-of-us-lorie-lewis-ham/1139990160?</a></p><p>or Kobo: <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/one-of-us-54">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/one-of-us-54</a></p><p><br /></p><p>HAPPY READING TO ALL!</p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-72206644528002916142021-08-18T00:00:00.013-05:002021-08-18T12:14:06.817-05:00Lorie Lewis Ham is here today!<p> I'm so delighted to welcome Lorie Lewis Ham to my blog today, and so excited about her new book. Lorie, in her role as editor of Kings River Life Magazine and the new Mystery Rat's Maze Podcast had been a valueable friend to many writers over the last several years, and one of them is me. Here's my chance to pay her back. Here's her essay on her new novel--be sure to check this out!</p><p>GIVEAWAY! LORIE WILL GIVE AN E-BOOK AWAY TO ONE PERSON WHO COMMENTS, LEAVING AN EMAIL ADDRESS (which can be disguised, kayegeorge at gmail dot com, or somesuch.). She will pick the winner before next Wednesday. Good luck!</p><p><b>“One of Us” is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Us-Tower-District-Mystery/dp/B09BDVRKH3/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1627863342&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR2FaGNLn9AGB9ATgmu_aHwfk5BN9EdJQkVJkPpeQKy9xFaccJz2YimAv1M">Amazon</a>, on the Nook at <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-of-us-lorie-lewis-ham/1139990160?ean=2940162346555">Barnes and Noble</a>, and <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/one-of-us-54">Kobo</a>.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> B</o:p>ook Settings-Why I Set My Book in the Tower <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">District of Fresno</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CA</st1:state></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">By Lorie Lewis Ham<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmoliOv50LQ/YRbIfixHVyI/AAAAAAAAIHY/8H9F9PJjt6EmlUSGCsl0khaQ8sps-TbJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/OneofUs_ebookcover%2Bfinal.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmoliOv50LQ/YRbIfixHVyI/AAAAAAAAIHY/8H9F9PJjt6EmlUSGCsl0khaQ8sps-TbJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/OneofUs_ebookcover%2Bfinal.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">My first mystery came out in the early 2000s and featured a gospel
singing sleuth. I set that series in a fictional version of my hometown of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Reedley</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>,
largely because it was what I knew. The last book in that series came out 11
years ago. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As I started working on a new book I knew that I wanted to
do something different so I decided to set my new book, which is the first in a
new series, in a place that is very dear to me, the Tower District in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Fresno</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The<span class="hgkelc"> historic Tower District is <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Fresno</st1:place></st1:city>'s dining, arts,
and entertainment hub. People might be surprised to know this, but a great deal
of community and regional theatre happens in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">San Joaquin</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and much of it happens in the Tower. My main character, Roxi Carlucci, actually
helps out with a theatre production in this book and that is where the murder
takes place. </span>The Tower is also the home of the <a href="http://www.fresnoroguefestival.com/">Rogue Festival</a>, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringe_theatre">fringe festival</a> where
performers from all over the world come to perform (this festival will be
featured in a future book). You will also find unique shops, restaurants,
clubs, coffee shops, tea shops, and much more. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here is a bit of description of the area from my new book
“One of Us”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>“As we walked to the heart of the Tower and its many
shops and restaurants, I felt like I'd gone back in time. I had read in an
article that most of the houses had been built between the 1920s and the 1950s.
There wasn't a new house in sight—each home had the kind of character only
houses built before the 1960s seemed to have. The streets were lined with
various kinds of tall trees. Even the sidewalks had a bit of character with its
cracks and unevenness here and there.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I love the Tower District, it is my favorite place in the
area to hang out, so I hope you will all take a journey with me to the Tower
District in my new mystery novel, and I hope some of you will come check it out
in person as well. Keep in mind that my version is somewhat
fictionalized—adding businesses that were needed for the sake of the story and
changing some of the names—but it is still just as wonderful!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One of the locations mentioned in “One of Us” (it is also on
the cover of the book), is the Tower Theatre. Its very existence and the Tower
District way of life is currently at risk. If you would like to know more you
can find information on the Facebook page for “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Save-The-Tower-Theatre-105559114812975">Save the
Tower Theatre</a>.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>“One of Us” is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Us-Tower-District-Mystery/dp/B09BDVRKH3/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1627863342&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR2FaGNLn9AGB9ATgmu_aHwfk5BN9EdJQkVJkPpeQKy9xFaccJz2YimAv1M">Amazon</a>,
on the Nook at <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-of-us-lorie-lewis-ham/1139990160?ean=2940162346555">Barnes
and Noble</a>, and <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/one-of-us-54">Kobo</a>.
</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">“One of Us” A Tower
District Mystery by Lorie Lewis Ham-<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="tojvnm2ta6sixzi8abs2jz4qa8s20v7pt1p8iaqhk5wvi7nfq3lfd5jvpk4s997abipmatt0cebpdrjkqowsmv63owwhemhudp1hu0rbdhp61c6yiyyx5f41"><i>A
woman starting over. A gossip website. A handsome playwright with a dark side.
A director with an explosive temper. And a murder without a motive. It’s a
mystery set in </i></span><span class="hgkelc"><i>the historic Tower District—<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Fresno</st1:place></st1:city>'s dining, arts,
and entertainment hub.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="hgkelc"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="hgkelc">Bio-</span> Lorie Lewis Ham lives in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Reedley</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>
and has been writing ever since she was a child. Her first song and poem were
published when she was 13, and she has gone on to publish many articles, short
stories, and poems throughout the years, as well as write for a local newspaper,
and publish 6 mystery novels. For the past 11 years, Lorie has been the
editor-in-chief and publisher of <a href="https://kingsriverlife.com/">Kings
River Life Magazine</a>, and she produces <a href="https://mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com/">Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast</a> where
you can now hear an excerpt of her new book <i>One of Us</i>. You can learn
more about Lorie and the new book on her website <a href="https://www.mysteryrat.com/">mysteryrat.com</a> and find her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/mysteryrat">@mysteryrat</a> and Facebook. Another way
to keep up with Lorie’s writing is to subscribe to her newsletter, which you
can do on her website. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Lorie has been married to Larry for 30 years and they have 2
grown children—Jayce and Joseph Ham. She currently has 5 cats (Merlin, Sam,
Dean, <st1:city w:st="on">Sidney</st1:city>,
and <st1:city w:st="on">Willow</st1:city>), 4
dogs (Lestat, Huey, Xander, and Phoebe), and a pet dwarf rabbit (Sherlock). For
many years, she worked in pet rat rescue, and has had many pet rats of her own
over the years. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-80188591571041331192021-08-04T00:00:00.001-05:002021-08-04T00:00:00.231-05:00What Is Broken and What Is Not?<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I asked myself that question after I reviving a mental
health help that I last used just about exactly a year ago. My crutch is a
Worry List. I started it when my husband was ill and dying and I was worrying
all day every day. When I put my concerns and issues on a list—actually wrote
it out, I found I could read my Worry List once a day, give myself some
fretting time, then spend the rest of the day less concerned. It worked, well
enough anyway.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hjGt-Xq4og/YQnswPoFB-I/AAAAAAAAIEQ/BCfiwecs0AUC4zXQRRo3jaAZocaXcGm_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/weight%2Bby%2BCastlelass%2Bat%2BMorguefile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hjGt-Xq4og/YQnswPoFB-I/AAAAAAAAIEQ/BCfiwecs0AUC4zXQRRo3jaAZocaXcGm_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/weight%2Bby%2BCastlelass%2Bat%2BMorguefile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last year at this time it held things like Covid, our
political problems, the condition of my yard, my failing car, and some red
spots that were on my carpet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year it’s more like, Covid, the impending destruction
of the planet, the looming demise of democracy worldwide. You know, actual apocalyptic
stuff. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Which led me to these two questions: What is actually broken?
But, more importantly, what is not broken? Maybe the concentration should be on
the latter. There’s plenty there. What would my Non Worry List look like? The
things I don’t have to worry about. Thing that don’t weigh me down. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1cyDhn9xwk/YQntNAdxIWI/AAAAAAAAIEY/ROBjifdGhqgRoVwXw_516qayNXRAKmc2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/balloons%2Bnot%2Bworried%2Bpioxabay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1cyDhn9xwk/YQntNAdxIWI/AAAAAAAAIEY/ROBjifdGhqgRoVwXw_516qayNXRAKmc2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/balloons%2Bnot%2Bworried%2Bpioxabay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I always start with this one. I am above ground, one more
day. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have three health children and their spouses, plus seven
healthy grandkids, all of whom get together and love each other, and love me.
And I love them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am able to do something I wanted to do all of my life,
without impediments—write novels and short stories and actually get them
published and read. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The community I belong to, mystery writers, are the best
people, as a group, on the planet. I firmly believe that. They are wonderful,
supportive, kind, helpful—just everything you need from a support group and a
bunch of colleagues. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These are way down on this list, but they are not
unimportant. I had a house with heat and AC. I have enough food. I have
medicine when I need it. I have all the clothing I need and the ability to buy
more when I feel like it. The basics, right? Food, clothing, shelter. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What’s on your Worry List? But, better yet, what’s on your
Non-Worry List? One might even call it a List of Things to Be Thankful For. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Image of weight by Castlelass at Morguefile<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Image of balloons by davide25 from Pixabay<o:p></o:p></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-76321574256211168682021-07-29T08:29:00.001-05:002021-07-29T08:29:27.623-05:00Thoughts on This Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deOpPKHhJUM/YQKtAY-8jaI/AAAAAAAAIAM/aOzC6w6xtYMop0Wz611JfXpjZUzXqLpsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s660/Russia%2BOlympics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deOpPKHhJUM/YQKtAY-8jaI/AAAAAAAAIAM/aOzC6w6xtYMop0Wz611JfXpjZUzXqLpsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Russia%2BOlympics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I guess my thoughts are on Russia today. You might not
understand this without a few words about my background. I majored in Russian
Studies at Northwestern University for a reason. One reason was that I couldn’t
really major in Russian, per se. I knew I would never be proficient in the
language in the three years I had left in college when I changed my major. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My interest in the country, which was then USSR, was
in the culture. As a classical violinist, I had fallen in love with Russian
classical music, and loved the more contemporary composers, too. Tchaikovsky,
Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, and also Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Prokofiev. Even
if I do still have to look up the spellings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also, as a reader, I was just as deeply in love with
Russian classical literature, Dostoevsky, Pushkin. Tolstoy, Chekhov—and many,
many more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An anecdote from my college years. I was reading Crime
and Punishment in paperback on the El, on my way to a horrible telephone
soliciting job (I attended school on a partial scholarship and worked whatever
jobs I could find). Coming back to my dorm from the job, I had to take a bus,
and two trains, one underground and one elevated. When I changed trains, I had
to cross the street and go up the wooden stairs to the El platform. I did this,
got on my train, and buried myself in my book. Eventually, something made me
look up. The conductor was calling out street numbers, not street names. I was
one of two white people in the car. I asked the woman next to me if this train
goes to Evanston.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, honey,” I can still hear her alarmed voice. “You’re
on a southbound. You need to get off and change trains.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I went to the door and got off at the next stop. I
needed to cross the street to get to the northbound elevated platform. Two
large Black men were concerned about my safety and they accompanied me to the
steps, for which I was grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Back on the train, going the right direction, I buried
myself in Dostoyevsky again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe that’s why the plight of the Russian athletes at
the Olympics affected me so profoundly when the “ROC” team wins and the Piano
Concerto #1 is played. Honestly, it moves me to tears. I never equate the
politics of a country with the people. They have endured so much, those people.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1420010978662486017" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/i/status/1420010978662486017</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-60678283608810117182021-06-16T00:00:00.001-05:002021-06-16T00:00:00.247-05:00Interviews All Over the Place<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_GoBack"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
some reason, I’m doing a lot of interviews in the last few weeks. If you have a
burning desire to read my thoughts, mostly on writing, here are some places to
quench that conflagration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lWlRURiAQ/YMk-K8UAu-I/AAAAAAAAHrM/1CjX1dmYB-Q-aSXRFRozhpRZXlKAixfswCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fire-8837_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54lWlRURiAQ/YMk-K8UAu-I/AAAAAAAAHrM/1CjX1dmYB-Q-aSXRFRozhpRZXlKAixfswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fire-8837_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(I
should also mention that my blog posts lately have been about writing only in
the most tangential sense. The pandemic has figured prominently. I guess that’s
understandable. <a href="http://travelswithkaye.blogspot.com/">http://travelswithkaye.blogspot.com/</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkcH8OYIroo/YMk-TZRdh_I/AAAAAAAAHrQ/QaZkxsIqJ8o0jlB7m_N9G3O72uZHmyFUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/firefighters-115800_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkcH8OYIroo/YMk-TZRdh_I/AAAAAAAAHrQ/QaZkxsIqJ8o0jlB7m_N9G3O72uZHmyFUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/firefighters-115800_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quenching. Whew!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So,
the interviews. One just appearing yesterday from a place I hadn’t heard about
before, NFReads. The contact, Tony Eames, is very good to work with. He had
some terrific questions for me to pick from. He said I could add my own, but
his were good!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.nfreads.com/interview-with-author-kaye-george/">https://www.nfreads.com/interview-with-author-kaye-george/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
one before that one was with Lois Winston’s Anastasia Pollack—a cute concept.
Her character runs the blog behind her back. My character, Tally Holt, did the
exchange with her, natch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/2021/05/book-club-friday-interview-with-amateur.html">https://anastasiapollack.blogspot.com/2021/05/book-club-friday-interview-with-amateur.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">At
the end of March, Leah Bailey at Cozy Ink did this podcast, which turned out to
be run, even though I was nervous. <a href="https://cozyinkpodcast.com/author-interview-with-kaye-george/">https://cozyinkpodcast.com/author-interview-with-kaye-george/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just
before that, Tiffany, the Beach Bum Book Worm, aka beachbumbookworm had a long
video chat with me. I was nervous for that, too, but quickly relaxed since she
is such a warm, bubbly person. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuyNu9EDkEk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuyNu9EDkEk</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
of my recent publicity can be found on my Press Kit page, <a href="https://kayegeorge.wixsite.com/kaye-george/press-kit">https://kayegeorge.wixsite.com/kaye-george/press-kit</a>.
Press Kit, doesn’t that sound impressive? I thought so. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlyBq72lI1o/YMk-Y3Sz-LI/AAAAAAAAHrU/HpYn2viifqcaiDs-beAV1CGLii0EUTzIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/press-1015988_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlyBq72lI1o/YMk-Y3Sz-LI/AAAAAAAAHrU/HpYn2viifqcaiDs-beAV1CGLii0EUTzIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/press-1015988_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thanks
for coming by!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Images from pixabay.com, as usual </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-21224481426847691272021-06-09T00:00:00.001-05:002021-06-09T00:00:00.230-05:00Normal?<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">6
9 2021 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_GoBack"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Normal?
What’s that? I posed this on Facebook, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
see people wondering if life will ever get back to normal. Was it EVER normal?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of
course not. Normal doesn’t even exist. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">I’m glad a discussion ensued. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A couple of people said it’s a setting
on a washing machine or a dryer. Others said it was more normal before 2016. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v66q9xkFGSw/YL_6D1vBhhI/AAAAAAAAHp4/Z8fThaYFQtMBiJ0Aec8AdKHJl7E18SEUACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/laundry-saloon-567951_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v66q9xkFGSw/YL_6D1vBhhI/AAAAAAAAHp4/Z8fThaYFQtMBiJ0Aec8AdKHJl7E18SEUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/laundry-saloon-567951_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
was it? I’m one of the people who has become aware of how others live in the
last year or so. I mean, I always knew that racism (and all the other “ism”s)
exist in our country, on our globe, everywhere. But I really had never stopped
to think what it’s like to BE Black in this country, or to raise Black children
and to have fears that no parent should ever have. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
are, of course, many other issues that deserve discourse, but I’m tackling this
one today. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe,
before the overt racism emerged with the twice-impeached president, things were
“normal” for some people, people who were comfortable, complacent, and unaware,
much as I have been for most of my life. Now that I know, and that everyone
else who was unaware should know, too, I see through a different lens. There’s
no rose tint. There’s not even a clear view of many things I used to think I
saw. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCb0AFStPmY/YL_6JAF5z7I/AAAAAAAAHp8/N0N6G3l4xs04Z447NZOMIb7uIc_BD0bzACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/normality%2Bcancelled%2Bairport-4942354_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCb0AFStPmY/YL_6JAF5z7I/AAAAAAAAHp8/N0N6G3l4xs04Z447NZOMIb7uIc_BD0bzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/normality%2Bcancelled%2Bairport-4942354_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
always knew that there are no people who are normal—those don’t exist. Everyone
is their own person and none of us are the same. But I see that my grocery
store, my town, my neighborhood are not even the same for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60McTvFGpXU/YL_5-lOtD8I/AAAAAAAAHp0/qMFnZaH77psqt--yB41iaOe6aio3yA97wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/bayesian-2889576_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60McTvFGpXU/YL_5-lOtD8I/AAAAAAAAHp0/qMFnZaH77psqt--yB41iaOe6aio3yA97wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bayesian-2889576_640.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have yet to see how this will affect my writing. First I have to see how it
will affect my life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Images from Pixabay.com</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999752843311959295.post-66115017262448320922021-06-02T00:00:00.002-05:002021-06-02T00:00:00.236-05:00What Month IS This?<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">6
2 2021 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_GoBack"></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
have collected a concoction of things to inspire me when/if I get stuck. One
thing I like to do is to look at my list of special days and month. For
instance, June is the month of all these things!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pride
Month (This is a good one, of course.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_MemgOs6YM/YLbvXwGsd1I/AAAAAAAAHoc/0C_2QQT7UgQh0VRG-oSdeLsYJ05RHyMJACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/rainbow-1834809_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_MemgOs6YM/YLbvXwGsd1I/AAAAAAAAHoc/0C_2QQT7UgQh0VRG-oSdeLsYJ05RHyMJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/rainbow-1834809_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Aquarium
Month (I can see that someone might want to rejoice in their fish collection)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Candy Month (Here’s one I can get behind one
hundred percent. I even wrote a series on the subject!)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WX43IftP-Do/YLbvnzAvuII/AAAAAAAAHok/dMan179tfvkpEymo2kMuuOFQ2MX6fiTdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Deadly%2BSweet%2BTooth%2BFINAL%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WX43IftP-Do/YLbvnzAvuII/AAAAAAAAHok/dMan179tfvkpEymo2kMuuOFQ2MX6fiTdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Deadly%2BSweet%2BTooth%2BFINAL%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Dairy Month (OK, I can have some. Probably not
every day, but some.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Fight the Filthy Fly Month (Um, it’s couched
in a pretty belligerent way, isn’t it?) (Maybe this year, we should celebrate
Brood X cicadas.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG_pac_2REE/YLbv0MhQNKI/AAAAAAAAHos/ZxxE3ajQW4gXP9qsCJo7gb4cmQ3Gw095QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fly-5693527_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG_pac_2REE/YLbv0MhQNKI/AAAAAAAAHos/ZxxE3ajQW4gXP9qsCJo7gb4cmQ3Gw095QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fly-5693527_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">National
Accordion Awareness Month (Are people really not aware of accordions?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">National
Adopt a Cat Month (Another good one.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1j4o7Gmwbt4/YLbv8J2356I/AAAAAAAAHo4/xdk_Cptri0M2pPMIrZTDL0aQPCkqfBTTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/cat-3535399_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1j4o7Gmwbt4/YLbv8J2356I/AAAAAAAAHo4/xdk_Cptri0M2pPMIrZTDL0aQPCkqfBTTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/cat-3535399_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">National
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month (I suppose this is necessary, but aren’t we supposed
to eat them every month?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rose
Month (Mine are looking good now, so this is timely.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDx2DafrMpM/YLbwBE06UnI/AAAAAAAAHo8/bW_BDcYZYdsgFqPa0Neq3xKPvhjGdEouACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/side%2Broses%2B5%2B15%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDx2DafrMpM/YLbwBE06UnI/AAAAAAAAHo8/bW_BDcYZYdsgFqPa0Neq3xKPvhjGdEouACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/side%2Broses%2B5%2B15%2B2020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turkey
Lovers Month (I’m not sure how this is meant, if you know what I mean.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
can get with some of those, some of them I’ll just let pass by me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Do
any of you celebrate any of these? If so, how do you do it? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>Kaye Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.com2