I thought I’d adorn my blog today and share these beautiful words from Maxima. So fitting for the times. ~Mary
Written: © Maxima
Fragments of the vanished summer live in me like a far off city.
I breathe and exhale them as a weeping sky low and gloomy.
I intertwine my fingers and feel warm rains of memory fill my mind
Like tender words of passion spoken before our summer disappeared.
The vows engraved in the bark of the Tree I guard jealously […]
When You Aren’t Here
Howdy, folks. It’s really me posting.
Please forgive the length, but if I go back again and try to shorten it, I’ll never get this posted.
Thought I’d post something before passers-by and visitors think I’ve abandoned my home here. Believe me, I never intended to become invisible. Nope, I haven’t neglected my website and you or your blogs by choice. Due to a lingering illness, my life has been put on hold. Needless to say, my upcoming book due out for release this past spring, then delayed until summer, will continue to be on hold for a while longer. The same with Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book #2.
I don’t have anything that can be caught by another human. A sinus infection and low electrolytes, especially sodium, have ruined my life.
Even before June, I hadn’t felt myself for some time, and I didn’t know what was going on. A sinus infection made all the other symptoms feel worse. In early July, I emailed my doctor with my symptoms because I continued to get worse, even losing weight.
Almost to the big white tent.
She told me to get tested for the dreadful “virus” because of my symptoms. After a two-hour wait at a drive-thru testing site in ninety-one-degree heat, I had an antibody test and nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19. It took days of going to hell and back to get the (negative) results.
Unfortunately, my troubles didn’t stop there. We discovered my electrolytes had dropped dangerously low. Let’s also add dehydration to this bag of hell! Through my own research, I suspected a drop in sodium because I take two medications that deplete sodium. I’m off of one of them now. This ain’t my first rodeo with low sodium. In the past, a couple of bottles of an energy drink put me back to normal. By the way, sodium controls fluid levels in the body. Hence, dehydration.
Some symptoms of low sodium include: Nausea and vomiting, Headache, Confusion, Loss of energy, Drowsiness and fatigue, Restlessness and irritability, Muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps, Seizures, Coma.
Emergency Room During a Pandemic:
Before having my results back from the Antibody and COVID-19 test, I called 9-1-1 because the symptoms were taking over my body and mind. My body needed something I could no longer provide, and it was SCARY.
2020 Safety First:
On this night, only one tech came inside in full protective gear because I had told them on the phone, that I didn’t have results back yet. After he determined I’d be transported, I chose to walk out. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention at midnight with the sound of a gurney rolling through the door. Five EMTs waited on the walk outside the door with the gurney, while one remained at my side. They had sent two trucks, as they always do here.
I said, “A girl never minds seeing five firemen waiting for her.” I don’t know how I had the sense to think of something so flirty. Once a romance writer, always a romance writer? On the way, the tech with me said he didn’t think I had the virus. My lungs were clear. I barely had a fever.
I ended up going to the ER twice a couple of weeks apart for the same symptoms—low electrolytes. The first time, they also did a nasopharyngeal swab test and bloodwork. This ER nurse did both nostrils. The drive-thru testing guy did only one side as I sat in my car. If you’ve had a nasopharyngeal test, you know what I’m talking about.
Soon after arriving in the emergency room, they attempted a bag of saline for dehydration while waiting for test results, but I blew a vein and the IV stopped dripping. Then they gave me a Sodium Chloride drip. Altogether, I blew out four veins in two visits.
This is how my boat floats, people.
Aside from low electrolytes, other tests came back normal. We still had no COVID-19 results when I had been discharged the first time, though the nurse in the ER said I had no markers in my blood to indicate the virus. So, I was kicked out released with antibiotics for the suspected sinus infection, Sodium Chloride tablets for low sodium, and instructions to eat salty food. French fries would raise sodium. Oh, yum. If only I could eat. *Don’t try this at home without medical supervision. Too much sodium can be just as harmful.
GOOD NEWS! A couple of days after my return home after the first visit, I found out all the COVID-19 tests, including the antibody test were NEGATIVE. Thank the good Lord. Thank you, thank you! THANK YOU!
I learned that when someone offers to help, you have to say okay.
The Waiting Game:
This was the end of July. *Since the second ER visit, and under my doctor’s direction, I’m drinking energy drinks with electrolytes instead of water–which dilutes sodium, while keeping Sodium Chloride tablets on hand for an emergency. I’m eating salty foods to keep my sodium level up until I see a specialist (waiting list) to determine what we’ll do about the medication. Hope all this salt doesn’t cause a stroke.
I’ve made an in-person appointment with a new primary care doctor. It’s time for a change and new set of eyes on my case. The appointment is in September!
Let’s Get Back to Life as a Writer: If Only I could.
Publication? It’s hard enough focusing on dinner, getting my mail, or taking a shower, and it’s taken me longer than three weeks to write this post. But we will see this book published one day. I haven’t given up. I keep trying. I’m too damn stubborn to quit, but I’m thankful for my persistent nature. As if I don’t feel guilty enough, a new holiday story has been calling me to write it. I want to slap my muse upside the head for doing this to me now.
Regardless, as bad as I feel for not getting my books out there, I need to think of myself and my worried family because this is my new reality.
Anyone have any answers? Is there a better way to keep my electrolytes stable? I’d like to be normal again.
I MISS YOU ALL. Thanks for reading. Continue to stay safe.
*Disclaimer: The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health, particularly with respect to any symptoms or accidents that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
New Release from Ed Hoornaert, also known as Mr. Valentine. He writes Science fiction with romance and humor.
Part love story and part adventure tale, The Saint of Quarantine Island is told against a backdrop of the relationship between madness and creativity.
I don’t Reblog often, and I especially don’t two days in a row, but I wanted to help Ed share his new release.
Maybe you’ve read about viruses that turn people into zombies. But how about a virus that turns people into madmen, some of whom become creative geniuses?
Spurred by her husband’s infidelity and haunted by abandoned aspirations, Janet, a suburban housewife smuggles herself into a wilderness quarantine. By catching the disease, she hopes to write a book that’ll redeem her empty life — and maybe, just maybe, find love with the man they call the Saint of Gilford Island. She’d once spent a memorable, though chaste, night with him. Surely he’ll help her build a new life.
But exile on an island of madmen is crueler than any suburban daydream. Instead of a quiet writing retreat, Janet finds pirates who steal everything but the clothes on her back…
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Sharing from My Reality Show blog. This touched my sentimental soul, and I wanted to share it. Love what you did with this, Mary Ann.
Buttons were calling me. Button artwork showed up on Pinterest, and I saved it. Fancy buttons, from grandmas gone by, revealed themselves to me. While searching for measuring tape in an old sewing basket, a decorative button appeared, from a Great Great Grandma. When looking for a sewing tool in another spot, impressive buttons from yet another Grandma showed up. My own buttons, the ones that come with a newly-purchased piece of clothing, piled up in a drawer, reminded me of their whereabouts.
Wouldn’t it be cool if I could combine a bunch of buttons from the grandmas and give it to my granddaughter for a birthday present? Here’s how I made that happen.
Directions:
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I missed Book Hooks Wednesday again. The post almost made it, yadda yadda yadda…
This isn’t the snippet I had written for Book Hooks. Instead, this one stemmed from an upcoming post I trashed about Book Titles, which included Hey, Cowboy. The scene you’re about to read is why the title for Hey, Cowboy, Book two is what it is. However this scene is from Howdy, Ma’am, Book One. The snippet explains.
In the beginning, I didn’t want either of these titles to be for the books, but in the end, they were the perfect choice. I have no regrets. 💙
Caulder and Velia got to know each other before the season began. She fought the attraction forming between them, but she only fooled herself.
Set up: Velia did her best to deny what had happened between them the night before, on their first night on the road, no less. She promised herself and him, it would never happen again. We turn the page to the day after: Modified a bit from the original.
As soon as Caulder came out to practice wearing Wranglers and a shirt with the sleeves cut out, and pumped muscles filling her viewfinder, she almost choked on her own lust. “Focus, dammit!” He strutted around the arena like he owned each grain of sand. He went to every bull and talked to them. When he came nose to nose with one big, ugly critter, she had it in her sights.
She videotaped him around the horses, patting them on the back, and sliding his hand down their flanks. Like he slid his hand down my flank. “Focus.” She got him on video when he wandered to the other side of the arena. Yes, she got one fine part of him strolling away from her—his tight and toned, nice-looking, feel good ass. She stomped. “Why, dammit, why?” Her camera dangled from the neck strap as she watched him.
She followed and caught him inside the doorway. “Hey, cowboy?”
He turned toward her with a slow glance over her body, and she was aware of the longing in his eyes. She hurried to him and slid her arms around his neck. Her hungry lips found his, and she became captured in his arms. His lips answered her wanton need. She ran her fingers over his biceps, then dug her nails into his back with anticipation when he walked her backwards toward the horse stall. He closed the half door and released her to the clean, fresh straw. They went to their knees, immediately embracing, staring into each other’s eyes as if a silent message rose between them…
End of excerpt.
And that, my friends, is where Hey, Cowboy got its title.
Thanks for reading. Find more on the Bull Rider Series book page.
Here’s a cute story about the title for Howdy, Ma’am.
A while back, a long while back, when this book was new, I sent a gift basket to a reader conference with this book included. Cover models were leading a BINGO game. The card squares had book titles on them. I don’t know which cover model, but I heard from the winner of the basket, that the model had a lot of fun calling my book title for this gift basket. When he drew out HOWDY, MA’AM for a spot on the BINGO cards, he’d repeat the title over and over with his deep voice and drawl. He, and the book, got a lot of attention. It made me glad to have kept the title!
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Update:
Some of you know I’ve been taking a break to let my eyes rest. I’m happy to say they are showing a bit of improvement. Giving them time away from hours of looking at the computer has helped, but my time at the screen is still limited. I’ve been able to spend a small amount of time each day working on one book while gearing up to format my upcoming book. In a nutshell, I have dry-eyes and macular degeneration, so I won’t take a chance with my eyesight.
As much as I wanted Judy’s book, the fifth book in the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight to be released in May, it isn’t going to happen. Book five takes place three years after book four ends.
By the way, Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, book one in the Double Dutch Ranch Series is $0.99 cents. This is the new and revised edition–shortened A LOT yet combined with what used to be book 1.5. Not a bad deal for a book that begins a series where you’ll get to know the whole family including Judy, the ranch matriarch, who binds them all together. Welcome to the Double Dutch Ranch where no one is a stranger at their table.
I’m grateful for any change for the better to my eyes and for time I can spend working on my books. However, I won’t push it.
Thankfully, my Kindle reads to me, so I’m able to enjoy books written by other authors without having to stare at the screen. It’s a pleasant distraction, indeed.
Thanks for your patience.
On top of dealing with my eyesight and the pressure and stress on myself for NOT publishing a book, I was forced to enter a grocery store because of items I NEEDED and couldn’t get with my pick up order. That isn’t all. I HAD TO OPEN UP MY SAFE SPACE to maintenance when I developed a leak in my bathtub. I figured it would be a one-time thing, but after four visits, he still couldn’t fix the problem. This also means he had to go into my bedroom closet to access the pipes.
As my mom would say, “Things don’t run on an even keel all the time.” Something like that. Well, Mom, you were right!
We’re all in this together.
Enjoy your weekend, my friends.
P.S. I didn’t even mention the fact WordPress is changing its editor on June 1st, so now it’s one more thing I don’t have the time or patience to learn. Even though some of you said the new Block Editor was simple, I don’t agree. I looked at it for five minutes and said screw it. Now, it seems I have no choice. On a positive note, the old editor will still be available, but I rarely use it, instead choosing to go into the dashboard and use the old, old editor. What do I do? Use my limited time on the computer to publish a book or learn something I don’t want to learn? The answer is simple.
Signing off for now…
It’s Wednesday again? That means it’s time for Book Hooks!
Here’s another short snippet from my upcoming book due out this spring. In five books and the spin off series books, I don’t know how many times I’ve heard Judy say, “Now what happened?” I love Judy’s character so much!
The original writing in this snippet has another person coming inside with Judy’s boys, but if I left that part in, it’d be a spoiler. So would a couple of other statements. So, this is modified from the original version.
#MFRWHooks Link to participating authors will be at the end.
After breakfast dishes were put away and counters wiped down, Judy sat at her desk in the kitchen to write a group email to her family suggesting the trip for the holidays. She looked up when Tristan came in. “Are you here for seconds?” The rest of them lumbered in. “You’re all here. Now what happened?”
Tristan spoke first. “No more to eat, Mom. We need to tell you some news.”
She stood and raised her hands to the air. “Why do you insist on doing this to me? You men will give me a heart attack. What is it?”
“Calm down, Ma,” Jase said. “Leon called.”
She sat again, sighing. Of course, it could only mean one of two things. Dane accepted Leon’s proposition, or they received news about the recent ordeal. “Will I be calling you the sheriff’s new partner?”
“Huh? I don’t know. That’s not why we’re here.” Dane gave his brothers a sidelong glance.
Judy had about all she could take, but she asked calmly, “Please, say what it is, will ya?”
Jase blurted it out…
That’s all folks. It won’t be much longer. I haven’t released a blurb or much of anything about this book yet. Info about this series can be found HERE.
To visit Book Hooks participating authors for May 13th, click this LINK.
Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week to hook readers on your current WIP or any previously published book.
As always:
It takes patience, but we have to be smart. Stay Home. Stay Safe.
I want all of you around when this pandemic is over. I want to be around too.
Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. Goodness, we’re at Week 18.
Sometimes it feels like the time is flying by, doesn’t it? Other times it drags. Drags because we don’t know what we’re waiting for, to be honest.
One thing for sure though—people around the entire world are waiting for better days—normal days to return. Will it ever be the “normal” we once knew? I think it will be a long time from now before we’ll see normalcy. Any-who, since we aren’t going anywhere, let’s get to the topic for Week 18.
Can I say both? I could answer this with those four words, but you know me…
I’d like my primary home to be in the country. I’m not where I live now, but it feels like it when I look out and see the woodlands around me or when I stroll through my small-town. Today, I glanced outside in time to see a pair of ducks waddling past my window. My first thought was for them to take cover before a hawk spotted them.
Turkeys a couple of years ago.
Later, a FedEx truck slowing down on the road into this complex got my attention. Since I had been walking through the apartment getting in my daily steps, I glanced out the window to see the biggest live turkey I’ve ever seen—tail feathers and all—strutting down the road ahead of FedEx. I smiled.
Last year a coyote died beneath my bedroom window! Sad. They stroll through the parking lot at night. My cousin, who lives behind me in the same building, sees deer each evening at dusk, and the ducks because the river is down the hill. Sounds like country, huh?
In the past, I had property in the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania in the Allegheny National Forest where bear came through in the wee morning hour to examine our fire pit. I’ve mentioned before how I came upon a black bear while strolling down the road
Allegheny Mountains.
alone, with the bear between me and home!
Deer were aplenty. We had nearly twenty acres and some of that acreage had apple trees right down the hill and to the right of this garage at the family section of the property. We had a place down the road. I spotted a wild cat through my camera lens one evening while waiting for a sunset. Yes, I’ve had experience with country living, and I LIKE IT!
However, I’d like an apartment or a time-share in the city for a change of pace. Cities are beautiful at Christmastime with all the decorations. I’d hate to miss that part of city living, but I’d want to be back in my country home for Christmas Eve.
I wonder how many days it would take to become accustomed to city noise and traffic.
If you had a choice, which would you prefer? Or are you a rebel like me and choose both?
Since this is a blog hop, here’s the LINK to participating authors who are answering the same question.
Take care everyone. Stay safe. Stay home.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay – Free-photos
This big guy rambled out of the woods this morning. I heard a gobble, gobble and ran to the window. I bet my jaw dropped! I took a quick shot. Forgive the bad picture through the window with the sun glare. I think he’s looking for a cute little turkey to have his babies.
Early morning stroll.
Welcome back to Book Hooks, a Wednesday Blog Hop through Marketing for Romance Writers. A link at the end of this post will take you to participating authors.
We’re back with the last snippet for a while in Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas.
The previous posts prior to this episode can be found here. Jake and his son are about to have dinner when someone called his name. Seeing his first love from thirteen years ago set his soul aflame. Previous to where this snippet starts, Jake told Beth about the situation with Paige leaving him. She told him she’d been divorced. Meet Beth:
That quick, her eyes took on an empathetic seriousness. It was like Beth to put her own issues aside to be concerned about others—a specialness about her she’d always had—one of the traits he had admired back in the day. Jake shrugged as he held his hat with both hands. “About as good as can be expected, I suppose. I tried to talk her into staying. Today, I realized why she wouldn’t. It’ll be hard on my kid. T.J. is staying with me now. At least that’s my plan.” He peeked around the corner to check on his son. “Hey, Macaroni, you have any kids?” She didn’t, but he made small talk before she rushed off. If it had made sense, he’d grab her hand to keep her from leaving.
“Still the Macaroni, huh?” Beth snickered, peering away momentarily before reaching into her leather designer purse for a credit card. “No, not yet. With what is going on right now, it’s best I don’t…I guess.”
He nodded and glanced at his son who looked back at him, straw in mouth, one hand wrapped around the cold glass. “Well, I better get seated. Do you wanna—”
Their gazes connected. “Take care of yourself, Jake. It was terrific to run into you.”
Her penetrating stare was hypnotic, and he wanted to turn away from her, but he couldn’t pull his eyes away. Guess she didn’t wanna no matter what it was. How could he let her get away? He could have a heart attack any minute and that’d make her stay. “Yeah, for sure. We’ll probably run into each other again…if you’ll be around. This town isn’t big.”
At least maybe he wouldn’t avoid her the next time like he always had when she’d arrive. He took a step away but whirled around. “Call me sometime. Let’s catch up.” Those words came out of nowhere. Beth smiled softly, and he was taken back many years. The same gut-wrenching pain from their last good-bye twisted his stomach to the point of nausea.
“Um, are you in the book?”
He held his hat against his chest, fingering the brim. “Sure am. I have a ranching business now, so yeah, you can find me in the book, online, ask a neighbor.” He chuckled. “Talk to you later.” Heading toward the booth, he peered over his shoulder. “Welcome back to town.”
“Jake?”
Oh, God. Beth. Facing her, he lifted his head in a nod as he did another once over. She looked damn good in a little cotton dress with a denim jacket atop it, but it didn’t hide a glimpse of her alluring breasts. Low ankle boots replaced the cowboy boots she’d worn as a teen. Her hair was ten times longer than he’d ever seen it. A trace of a San Antonio tan still remained. Yet, a tiredness lingered in her eyes. “Yeah?”
Beth walked up to him, and he got another whiff of her sultry perfume. “Is the Coffee Shoppe still in town?”
Second chance romance.
A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off Novel
Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series
Filled with both anguish and hope, a young boy and two lonely hearts pursue a second chance.
UNIVERSAL BUY LINK: books2read.com/u/3JKo0A
Oh, boy. It looks like Jake’s heart is not going to settle down yet. This time it’s for a different reason.
Thanks for reading! HERE’S the link to find participating Book Hooks authors.
Young couple credit: © Nolte Lourens | Dreamstime.com
