Life in progress


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What Day is it Anyway? Monday, May 4th, 2020

My day today so far–11:29am: 

It takes me three days to drink a bottle of wine. Four, sometimes. For the last two mornings (after drinking wine the night before), the heartburn has returned.

I refuse to believe it, damn it!

It’s the stress.

Yeah, let’s stick with that.

The child is restless today, so I’ve spent most of the morning being screamed at. Hopefully he won’t be stubborn, and he’ll want to go for a walk.

Yesterday:

Working backwards …

Midnight came and went (into this morning) and I decided to turn off my computer rather than write a late #WDIIA post and write one this morning instead. Which makes sense, really. At the rate I’ve been going, I should change the title to What Day Was It Anyway?

Earlier in the evening, I checked the local news and discovered the nursing home we were going to move my mother into has a Covid-19 outbreak. Dodged the bullet by a matter of hours there, as the decision came from the government to close new admissions to nursing homes less than a day before she was scheduled to be transferred. She’s still doing okay at the hospital.

I got a good chunk of work done on my short story, Pixy, yesterday afternoon, so I treated myself to a walk down by the water. I took a picture of this broken old tree, cracked but miraculously alive and still growing leaves, it’s top hanging in the lake, level with its roots.

That walk, combined with the one I took yesterday morning with Alex, netted me an interesting number of steps. 11,111. Maybe it’s some sort of sign.

Screenshot of my phone’s step counter showing 11,111 steps.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? #SoCS Edition Saturday, May 2nd, 2020

Do not add water. To Campbell’s Everyday Gourmet Soups or gremlins.

Speaking of gremlins, not soup, it’s fun to dream up a world around a supernatural creature. To make rules as you go. I don’t actually know if there’s a “rule” around water and gremlins, or if that was just created for the movie, but rules like that are often made up.

Like the sparkly vampires in Twilight that can go out during the day. Or my incubi in my series, The Great Dagmaru. Yes, I looked into the mythology quite deeply, but I didn’t necessarily stick to the rules.

All this to say I’ve been working today on a short story I plan to publish this month. It was written originally for an anthology of paranormal romances, but I’m working through it and changing a few things. It’s a romance between a pixie and a human.

Again, I’ve studied the mythology, but I’m loosely basing it on that. Not following the rules, necessarily.

Adding water, if you will. 😉

I finally got into my bottle of wine. Can you tell?

 

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

This adaptation of #WDIIA and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is brought to you by both. To join us in the SoCS tradition, click the following link where you’ll find all the instructions and the other participants’ posts in the comments. It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2020/05/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-2-2020/ Or you can link to this post if you just want to write a What Day is it Anyway? post.


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The Escapist Coloring Club Prompt – May 1, 2020

It’s late on the 1st of May–it might even be the 2nd of May by the time I publish this–but I’m here with your Escapist Coloring Club prompt anyway. If you’d like to join the club, all you have to do is post pictures of your own colouring, your kids’ colouring, or that of anyone you know and have permission to share. This is a month-long prompt, which means you have all of May to link back here.

I failed at completing a lot of things last month, and colouring and getting the mid-month reminder out were two of them. If you’ve been reading my daily posts, that won’t come as a surprise.  So here is the before picture of my April colouring page, which would normally be posted on or around the 15th:

And here are the closeup bits: (Click for a closer look.)

 

And here’s the whole thing:

I was going to leave the green bits ’til last, but I didn’t even get all the flowers finished. Maybe I’ll get a chance to come back to this one.

Thank you so much to everyone who joined in in April! Here are all the projects from last month, in case you missed any:

Willow at willowdot21

Anita at anitashope

Janet at Janet’s Smiles

Jenna at revivedwriter

Ruth at Ruth Blogs Here

Colline at Colline’s Blog

June Ann at jaquintinwriter

I look forward to seeing your new projects throughout the coming month!

Please find the “rules” below.

1. This prompt is designed for relaxation. As such, I encourage you to take your time to link your own post here, BUT, when you comment, please click the “Notify me of new comments via email” button. That way you’ll receive a notification when someone else links their project and you won’t miss anything. As with all the prompts, the more you visit others, the more your community of like-minded people grows.

2. Ping back! It’s important so that I and other people can come and read your post. To execute a pingback, just copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into the body of your post. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

3. There will be a prompt on the first of every month. I will try to post the prompt here on my blog at 9:30am -5 GMT. The prompt will simply be photos of my own colouring project. If you would like to host this prompt on your blog on another week during the month, either once, occasionally, or on a regular basis, please e-mail me at hilllindagmaru at gmail dot com and we’ll get you set up. All I ask is that you have an active blog and that you regularly reply to comments and visit other blogs.

4. Feel free to use The Escapist Coloring Club badge in your post.

5. Have fun!


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What Day is it Anyway? Friday, May 1st, 2020

My day today so far–7:05pm: 

And just like that, the heartburn is gone. It’s gotta be stress.

The only thing I’ve done that’s picture-worthy today … well, even that I didn’t do today. I took some photos for the Escapist Coloring Club, for when I post the prompt. Which I promise I’ll try to post later.

I did go for a walk with Alex today, but it was dull and damp outside, and nothing really inspired me. It’s supposed to be gorgeous outside tomorrow, so hopefully the crowds on the sidewalks and up the quiet street we usually take won’t be heavy. In some of the bigger cities, they’ve closed smaller streets for the pedestrians. Not here, though.

I feel sorry for those who can’t get out for walks at all, and I’m grateful I still can.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS May 2/2020

Friday’s here! And so is your Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt! Well, we made it to the fifth month. Only seven more first of the months before 2020 is behind us. Yipee! Here’s your SoCS prompt for this week:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “directions.” Find a household cleaner/bottle of shampoo/something in the freezer/anything you can find with instructions on it, then copy down a single direction (just one) on how to use/cook/etc. your chosen thing, and make it the first line or word of your post. Then keep writing whatever comes out. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our beautiful SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Thursday, April 30th, 2020 – Zilch

 

My day today so far–11:59pm: 

I spent my entire Thursday thinking it was Friday. I guess I should have written this post earlier, eh?

I think the reason for my confusion (other than the whole every-day-is-exactly-the-same-as-every-other-day thing) was the fact that I finished cleaning up my mum’s place and Thursday felt like the last day of a week in which I had an extra day off.

It makes sense in my head.

If it wasn’t for the heartburn, I’d totally be drinking wine right about now.

But anyhoo, I decided to make today a vacation day. So aside from going through papers in my room to find some stuff the hospital needs for my mother, I did nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch. Zip.

And it felt good.

The day just sorta slipped by so fast, I was surprised to see it was ten o’clock when it was ten o’clock. Because what other time would it be at ten o’clock? Yeah. 10:00.

But I sure was surprised!

Oh to hell with it.

Where’s the wine?

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 – Yay!

 

My day today so far–10.46pm: 

I finished packing and getting all of my mother’s belongings out of the retirement home a day early! Everything I could take in the car, that is. There are a few things still in her room–furniture, the TV, the air conditioner. They’ll stay there until the province decides to allow the home to take in new residents. There’s no reason for the home to even put her stuff in storage until then.

With that done a day early (it’s supposed to rain tomorrow, so I was motivated), hopefully I can relax a little. My heartburn is back with a vengeance, and I think it might be the stress. The only time I don’t feel the pain is when I’m drinking a hot cup of tea.

So I’ve been drinking a lot of tea.

Now I’m sitting on the couch listening to Alex giggle like a maniac over something he’s watching on his laptop upstairs in his room.

It’s the little things that make my day.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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One-Liner Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 – Ladies

When Alex and I were out for our walk a couple of days ago, we passed a friendly jogger.

“How are you ladies doing?” he asked.

“Fine,” I answered, happy that Alex doesn’t read lips. He’s been bugging me for a hair cut, and that comment would not have helped matters.

If you would like to participate in this prompt, feel free to use the “One-Liner Wednesday” title in your post, and if you do, you can ping back here to help your blog get more exposure. To execute a pingback, just copy the URL in the address bar on this post, and paste it somewhere in the body of your post. Your link will show up in the comments below. Please ensure that the One-Liner Wednesday you’re pinging back to is this week’s! Otherwise, no one will likely see it but me.

NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, like Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

As with Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS), if you see a pingback from someone else in my comment section, click and have a read. It’s bound to be short and sweet.

Unlike SoCS, this is not a prompt so there’s no need to stick to the same “theme.”

The rules that I’ve made for myself (but don’t always follow) for “One-Liner Wednesday” are:

1. Make it one sentence.

2. Try to make it either funny or inspirational.

3. Use our unique tag #1linerWeds.

4. Add our lovely badge to your post for extra exposure!

5. Have fun!

Badge by Laura @ riddlefromthemiddle.com


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 – X-rated? Nah. Well, maybe …

 

My day today so far–11:58am: 

Today is an exciting day! Why? Because it’s not every day you publish a book!!

Will an office no-dating policy stand in the way of love?

Since her breakup with her cheating ex, Sandra Weber has been just going through the motions as Sales Manager at Studletter Condom Company. But when Michael Thorne is hired as an assistant, sparks in the office begin to fly.

Though Michael, aka Saddle McFleshbomb, loves dancing at Woody O’Flanagan’s Pub, he’s looking to move up in the world. His schooling almost finished, he lands a plum job as the only man in an office filled with women: four so exasperatingly humorless that it’s funny, and one stunning beauty with a laugh that warms the cockles of his heart.

When Sandra shows up at Woody’s on a rare night that he’s dancing for men, she assumes he’s gay, and therefore the no-dating policy doesn’t apply. But he’s not. He’s intensely interested in her. And he’s afraid to tell her he’s straight.

If you like light romantic comedy, hot office flirtations, and a long slow burn, you’ll love Saddled, the first book in Linda G. Hill’s “Once a Week at Woody’s” series.

Score a seat at Woody O’Flanagan’s Pub today!

~*~*~*~

Is Saddled x-rated? It’s definitely for adults, but there’s more of an underlying erotic vibe than all-out x-rated content. Here’s what a couple of advance-reader reviewers have said.

This was a really cute story. I loved how Sandra wasn’t the usual heroine. She liked him, she knew about his other job and still stuck with him. She didn’t cower at her ex and then not be able to decide who she wanted. She was to the poi t and she was consistent throughout the whole book.

Michal was just too adorable for words. I loved his humor and how in co Troy he was even while being ambushed by the ladies at work. Of course, they HAD to be “Karens”.

This was a really good story and even though it was 41 chapters, I wish there was more! ~ Sarah, Goodreads reviewer

And one more.

An entertaining start to a series, this was the first book I have read by this author. The story perfectly blends the right amount of humor with realism. Anyone who has worked in a professional office environment o aware of the drama and at times toxic attitude to be found. This story so perfe fly portraye that, and adds just the right amount of fun. I’ll admit, I expected more of a slapstick over-the-top story, based on Michael’s stage name, but it really wasn’t. The story does deal with some serious issues,  but with a very light hand (brings awareness to the issue, but without overdoing it). Characters are great- and I look forward to continuing the series and reading Seth’s story. I received an advance copy for my honest review. ~ SJP, Amazon reviewer

Sounds like fun, right?

Anyway, that’s the end of my shameless self-promo for today, and likely for this book.

So pick it up now, and escape for a while in my fun new romantic comedy!

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Amazon AU

KOBO, Nook, Apple, and direct to where ever you are in the world on Amazon.

Thank you so much!

Yesterday:

I want to express my appreciation for all of your kind messages of condolence. My way of coping is to put it out of my mind when I need to concentrate on the many facets of my life, and grieve alone when I have a moment. It seems, at this time, the only way to survive.

Thanks again. ❤

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Monday, April 27th, 2020 – My W Day

 

My day today so far–10:00pm: 

How do I start to explain my day?

I’m doing it without looking at the screen, because the words are so hard. Touch-typing for the win.

I’ve never talked about my relationship with my husband on this blog. I haven’t seen him since I started on WordPress. He moved to England eight years and one month ago. Back to England, I should say. He became a permanent resident after we got married. Between the time we were wed and the time he came back to stay, he contracted MS.

There were complications. I couldn’t work because of the kids, he couldn’t work because of his MS. The government didn’t want to support him and long story short, it came down to the possibility of me going to jail. It’s a really long story. Don’t ask.

So, though there was much much love lost, he left. His condition worsened.

And yesterday …

I got the phone call from his mother today while I was out walking with Alex.

May the angels care for you always, my love.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!