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It’s that time again, the #IWSG day. Here’s where you can share those doubts or triumphs. This group is all about connecting, and thanks to the stealthy and clever Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh, we have this space every month.
May 6 Question: do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?
The question is as always optional.
The awesome co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Beverly Stowe McClure, Mary Aalgaard, Kim Lajevardi, and Chemist Ken!
The only thing closest to a ritual I have for times like these is to start walking. I find that if I get up from my desk and take off on a trail or along a beach, I soon find a way to write what I have in my mind. These past weeks I’ve been out of the ZONE a great deal, so I’ve covered a lot of territory. If you’ve seen my Facebook posts, you’ll know I set a challenge of 4 miles a day. I started on March 17 and as of yesterday (day 50) I’ve logged 200 miles. That’s such a nice round figure, and I’m thinking I could be almost half way to LA if only I’d headed straight that direction. Of course, I don’t want to go to LA, so it’s probably better that my route wasn’t just south and instead took me to a lot of different places.
   
 This highway is usually clogged with traffic. In March I saw something I never thought I’d see. An empty highway.
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My May Book Report
So many books this month and all so good.
| Jemi Frasier’s Dancing with Dementia was excellent. I felt as if I had a book I could really use if I had to face the challenges of caring for someone with dementia. My REVIEW. | |
 Buy on Amazon |
Sandra Cox’s newest book sounds like something I’d like to read. I need to find out about that sexy deputy. Here’s how Sandra describes Mateo’s Law:
A modern day, shape-shifting sheriff. He’s the sheriff of a sparsely populated county in Montana. His blood brother and childhood best friend is Chief of Police on the Blackfoot Reservation, but they no longer speak. His deputy is a southern transplant with the body of a high-priced call girl, a voice of honey and a mouth of a trucker. And if that’s not enough, he’s got a secret that would stun those that know him best. Other than that, it’s business as usual for Sheriff Mateo Grey. |
| I mentioned David Powers King’s new book last month, but have just purchased it and wanted to show off his cover. His tagline is: A princess. A dragon. Their quest. | |
| And another story’s out by Beverly Stowe McClure!
Gabe never asked for an angel… Gabe Montana’s clumsy. He’s overweight, and he’s dyslexic. Worse yet, the bullies make his fifteen-year-old life even more miserable—so miserable he wants to die. My REVIEW |
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Will the third ghost be found before fires take more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane – what could go wrong?
Ten authors explore the past, sending their young protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck, and L.T. Ward. Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history. Get ready for an exciting ride! |
If you’d like to know more about the judges and the process for choosing stories for these IWSG Anthologies, HERE is where you can find that information.
Quote of the Month:“Now I see the secret of making the best person: it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” – Walt Whitman
Beautiful walks. Forests, riversides and the ocean, wonderful. We couldn’t go further than a 1 km radius, and only for an hour. Alongside our small river banks, into the wood and back. No rambling in the Pyrenees this spring.
Thank you C. Lee for the book reviews. Mateo’s Law sounds appealing. Wishing you an inspired month. Take care, stay safe.
Being restricted is hard, but at least you have some beautiful spots to enjoy. Save the Pyrenees for later.
Beautiful walks. Forests, riversides and the ocean, how wonderful, lucky you. In France we weren’t allowed outside a 1 km radius of our home, and maximum an hour. So no walking in the Pyrenees for us, but along our small river banks, into a wood and back.
Thank you for the book reviews. Mateo’s Law sounds very appealing. Wishing you an inspired month. Take care, keep safe.
Way to go with your walking, Lee! Your miles are adding up quickly. I walk three to four times a week; and, for sure, I have three tough workouts via FaceTime with my trainer. The walks and the training sessions are keeping me sane. Congratulations to Jemi, Sandra, David and Beverly on their books, as well as my fellow authors in “Voyagers.” Take care and happy writing during May!
I think I’ll go back to fewer days of walking when I can do other things, but for now this is the best I can do. I’m not much to watch video workouts.
Keep up your walking, too!
That’s some excellent walking goal! Beautiful pictures along the way. So crazy to see highways without traffic. Great book suggestions!
The walking has become addictive! I hope I can still do at least some miles when my usual hangouts open again.
200 miles is impressive. Great job. I’ve been trying to keep moving, but Michigan’s flip-flopping weather is not making it easy.
You live in a far different climate than I do. If I were in Michigan, you’d never see me out and about until June. That’s why I live in California. I could not stand the cold you guys have. Glad to hear from you. That means you’re okay.
200 miles, eh? That’s almost 10% of the Appalachian Trail 🙂 I hope you’re doing well and are healthy during this pandemic.
I’ve always wanted to hike that trail. Bryson–not the movie version, but the book–encouraged that desire. But I’ve never followed through. I’m wondering now if I could actually do it. Thanks for the visit and good wishes. Let’s all stay healthy.
Long walks can really help to assimilate thoughts. You get new ideas too. Thank you for the reviews. I’m keen on some of these books.
I love reading other people’s writing. It gives me a different view of the world and some interesting stories I would never have come up with.
200 is sure a nice round number. Yeah, probably best you didn’t head straight for LA
Monk would be proud of me, don’t you think? He’s gotten into my head and now I’m always looking for symmetry. 🙂
Walking is such a great way to clear your head, take in the world around you, and be grateful for all one’s blessings. It’s so easy to focus on the negative of every situation. Connecting with nature on a walk is a great way to appreciate all that is good. I will say, I’m not a hot weather gal. I love the below 50 degree temps – anything between 30 and 50 degrees is my happy zone!
I so agree about turning those negatives around and being grateful. Nature does have a way of doing that. I also agree about the idea walking temps. After 70 degrees I’m ready for a cool room and lemonade.
200 miles is a good, solid distance! I think I’ll use you as my new exercise role-model in all of this. My exercise habits all took a nosedive, when the pandemic started. (So did all my other good habits.) Happy IWSG day!
I don’t know if you’re collecting, but the 5th Dementia band, which is comprised of all dementia patients would be worth looking up, if you know of a patient with a musical bent.
When my gym closed, I really hit the wall. “What now?” That was my question. I couldn’t imagine not moving. I sit a lot because I write, so walking was my best solution. It has been a life-saver.
The musical group might be interesting to Jemi. It certainly sounds like a wonderful way to help dementia patients.
That is definitely something worth looking up! Thanks Karen – I’ll check it out!! 🙂
I should probably get out and walk around outside, since I used to do all my walking at the gym! Then again, I walk plenty at work, as well, so that’s probably why I don’t mind sitting at home. But the fresh air would be nice!
I don’t feel caged when I’m walking, and I do when I think I can only be inside because someone said so. Give it a try.
Walking to different places sounds excellent. Perhaps I should start walking too. Maybe it would get my writing out of a rut.
Give it a try, Olga. It certainly can’t hurt. And I’ll tell you, my legs are getting darned strong.
Yeah, its pretty quiet here too. Walking does sound like a good thing to do. Especially for the ones who like to think on their feet. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Walking does seem to stir the thoughts about other things, like writing. I hope I can keep it up. Thanks for stopping in,
200 miles sounds pretty impressive to me. And, if those miles feed your writing muse I say go for it.
Loved the books you featured this month (all of which have crossed my radar and tempted me.
I have to say that being isolated from friends and family has given me a lot of reading time. Something good can come out of something so terrible.
Hi Lee,
Oh the pictures are so inviting! I enjoy walking, too. But summer (100+ temps) has arrived extremely early here in the desert this year, leaving only slivers of opportunity. I’m looking forward to walking in the woods near our cabin this summer, where it will be much cooler.
“So many books,” is right! You’ve just increased my TBR list by three. Two are already on the list.
Excellent quote by Walt Whitman!
Hi Diedre,
I hear what you’re saying about walking in the heat. I’m so much better walking in the rain and cold. It’s hard to start, but once I’m warmed up, I can go for a long time. Glad you liked the book list the quote.
I love your walking goal. Do you do this alone? I walk my dogs as much as I can too. They too seem to go store crazy with all these changes.
Congrats to all the authors !
I have one friend I meet at the beach once in a while, Erika, but otherwise I do it alone. I’m out of dogs these days. 🙁
Wow, that’s a lot of walking! But what beautiful sites (some eerie). And yes, it’s been very hard on the creative spirit right now.
I hear that from a lot of writer friends. I hope that out of this comes some good and uplifting stories.
I just bought David’s book and am looking forward to reading it too. Glad you’re still walking. Me too though not as much as you. It’s definitely helped me stay positive during this challenging time and really since I lost my husband.
Losing your partner shifts everything in your life. I’m still not used to living alone, but I find I’m more confident in making decisions. It’s taken me two years to get to this point. Walking has saved my sanity. BTW congratulations again on your daughter’s graduation.
I walked 200 miles too–in 200 days, though. Hmm… You are a studette, Lee.
Was yours heading to a destination? I kind of wander.
Empty roads are weird. Ours have been less but traffic is increasing.
I’ve been doing a lot of walking as well.
I think a lot of people are finding walking helps. At least you’re outside and sometimes seeing others. Everyone is exceedingly friendly…from a distance.
Your walks are awesome, C. Lee! I try to get in 10,000 steps a day, but that’s usually a 2-3 mile walk followed by dancing around the house. 🙂
I love all the photos you’ve taken.
Keep dancing, Tyrean. That’s wonderful.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
You’re right, dear friend. It’s an eerie sight to see empty highways, parks and beaches. I admire you for logging 200 miles on foot since mid March! 200 is indeed a nice round number. Mr. Monk would be proud of you. 🙂 Your challenging walks serve a dual purpose. They promote health and also invite the writing muse to visit. Thanks for listing the new books being released this month. So many books, so little time. I appreciate the Walt Whitman quote. Seems like you already discovered the secret of making the best person because you commune with nature on a regular basis these days. I applaud you.
Please stay well. I wish you a very good month, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Your comments are always so delightful. I look forward to reading them each month. I wish I had time to do more posts and more blog visits than I do, but it’s just not possible. Anyway, great to visit your place today and discover a new and very talented singer.
200 Miles?!! That is amazing. Nothing clears up my mind like fresh air.
I agree with that!
Hi,
You’ve walked 200 hundred miles! Go for you. Since Covid19 and being quarantined in the house, I miss my walking. I try to make up for it by walking in the supermarket when I am grocery shopping but that is not enough.
Wishing you all the best, Lee.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I’m probably going to be late getting in those 4 miles today, and it’s interesting that since I started doing this I have a hard time NOT walking. Like so many people, Covid-19 has really changed what I do and how I feel. Hope you can get out of the house soon, Pat! Hope we all can look back on this one day rather than live with it.
Lockdown? Not for me. As a rare blood courier, especially with this new convalescent plasma (which I help separate), I get to drive long hours and walk down even longer hospital hallways past coughing patients and staff.
Not much time for new writing, but I am working on getting THE RIVAL into print and so funnel its ( and the Kindle and audio) proceeds to the COVID-19 RELIEF FUND of the Salvation Army.
But I do plot some on my new novel while driving. You stay well, hear? 🙂
I so hope you have a good medical protective mask, Roland. I worry about all of our health care and first-responder people. I know this has to be a very busy time for you and the others on the front lines. Stay safe!
Thanks so much for the shout out!!! Much appreciated 🙂
I’ve been loving your posts from your walks – our trees are almost budding so I’m living vicariously with you! 🙂
Hope you’ll be out and about soon, Jemi. I know you live up there in the northern climes where spring comes later than here. I live vicariously through your snowy pictures. I never see any of that unless I drive into the Sierras in winter.
Long walks can be a great inspiration, but here in Michigan, that’s tough to do during the winter and early spring. Only now is the weather nice enough to actually make me want to walk. 200 miles ain’t bad. Congrats!
I hear what you’re saying. I’m a Californian and kind of a weather sissy. If it goes below 50, I’ll take the fireplace and a blanket.
200 miles! Nice bench mark.
I didn’t expect this lock down to last so long. I’m beginning to wear out, and you should see my shoes!