In praise of some people.
Oh yes.
In praise of some people.
Oh yes.
Oops, you've not promoted it very much.
(Yes I did on Wednesday and was gently reminded it might be a good idea to do it again. So sorry folks here's another promo.)
The Castle on the Loch, 3 books boxed set.
Those of you who know me, also know my interaction these last few weeks hasn't been brilliant. Nor has my attention span.
It goes on my list of to do, along with 'take meds', 'do exercises', 'write a shopping list', (for my lovely dh) 'finish m/s', and so on.
Therefore, trying to think of a good (or even bad or indifferent) promotion post, blog or whatever kept getting put off.
It's not that I don't think the books are good. I do, but then yes, I am biased. Yes they can be read as standalones but in sequence, I think they read even better.
So what better than reading them in one lovely set?
I must admit, when I got my copy I did just that and as I hadn't read them since they came out, I enjoyed them. Of course, I found bits that I wish I'd written differently, but I'd say that was normal.
Therefore, if you fancy a new read—or even a reread, why not try this
(okay, promo over.)
Now it's time to make some buns, eat some buns and open the WIP.
Happy reading,
love Raven xxx
Or is it a ponder?
(source, pinterest)
Who knows. I think I'll hedge my bets and say a bit of both.
In case you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, I'll explain.
I've been hum-ing and ha-ing over the ending to the book I'm trying to finish off. The one I realised to my horror I've been playing around with for several years. Opening it, writing a bit, and putting it to one side and writing something else. Which is so not like me. It's usually, start write and finish.
Even my laptop is confused.
Why?
That's what I'm wondering, or is it pondering? I'm only a few thousand words from the end. I know how it finishes, whether it's a HEA or a HFN. so why aren't I getting on with it and finishing it?
I wish I knew.
I seem to be doing everything except doing that. Research? Great but not for this story. Rereading? Ad nauseam, but then getting to the last sentence I've written and...making a cup of coffee, baking, knitting, reading, walking...anything but typing where I need to.
How do I get out of that mind set?I've made notes for another couple of stories, and I'm itching to get stuck in. But I'm determined to finish this WIP first.
Some one shake me up please.
Meanwhile I can get excited about the boxed set of the Castle on the Loch series
Marcail, Bonnie and Baird, siblings who need to accept their fate and move forward.
Love by the Stroke of Midnight
History, family, fate. Accept it or deny it at your will.
The Heather and the Plaid
History, family, fate. Accept it or deny it at your will. To have a future, they need to make peace with the past.
The Renaissance of Baird Drummond
Family has to be resolved and wrongdoings undone. Love recognised, accepted and returned. Then, only then, can life move forward. Or can it?
https://www.totallybound.com/book/the-castle-and-the-loch-box-set
Out from Totally Bound and Amazon on 30th July 2024
Meanwhile, back to the unfinished WIP...
Happy reading,
Love, Raven xxx
That you take for granted...
until you can't. Like going for a walk, cooking, gardening... I could go on.
Even down to little things like bending, stretching...
A few weeks ago I had an operation which resulted on me using crutches. Both hands occupied.
And all of a sudden lots of activities I took for granted were no longer easy. Or in some cases, impossible.
It made me take a long hard look at how, when you can do something, you don't really think about it. you just do it.
Like walking upstairs, carrying a cuppa, then making the bed. Pulling blinds up or down. Picking things off the floor. Bending, kneeling (no no no) even getting off the lowish settee.
(source:pinterest)
All things you do without any real thought when you can use both hands. With both hands wielding crutches... not a chance.
The stairs I conquered. One stick, one hand on the bannister. The bed...hmm.lets not mention it.
I slung a bag around my neck and shoulders and put things in it. Made coffee in a spill proof mug, ignored the bed... spilled the coffee, wriggled on the bed,
But, was lucky to have a husband to look after me (and yes, cater to my every whim.)
However, I admit it wasn't easy, Biting my tongue when something wasn't done the way i'd do it. Wanting to do something, but no idea what.
I couldn't settle to anything. not writing, reading, sewing. nothing grabbed my interest.
I did my exercises bit my lips at the pain and counted the days.
Cussed at how hard it was to sit in the car for an hour to go back to hospital for check-ups. Tried not to notice things I usually take for granted which hadn't been done.
And then...
Down to one stick.
Make a cuppa, and carried it. Walked around the garden between showers. Went to the supermarket and the lovely husband pushed me around in one of the wheelchairs you can borrow. That was a real treat.
All of a sudden I realised how much I was now able to do. The physio was pleased with me, and signed me off.
I got some edits to do—Teaching Teacher out soon from Bastet's Quill publishing—and realised I was now ready to write again.
Baby steps but oh so satisfying.
I've learnt a lot about myself these last four weeks.
And I can honestly say I will never, ever take things for granted again. Especially my health and abilities.
Onwards and upwards,
love, Raven xxx
Because then you're never truly alone.
Growing up I was an only child but not a lonely child. I was lucky I had cousins living less than ten miles away, friends nearby and best of all, a good imagination.
When I was by myself—parents or adults near by of course—I might be alone but never lonely.
I could conjour up imaginary friends, make up stories in my head, sometimes act them out with my toys and generally amuse myself.
Think... ummm what next?
*waves*
I am not neglecting you, honestly. I'm just not on top form at the moment and it's taking all of my energy to get through the day without actually thinking, if you get my meaning.
So meanwhile here's some random pics I've taken over the years.
See if you know where any of them are.
Fingers crossed I'll be back to rambling on next week. I miss it (and you)
Meanwhile,
Happy Reading,
love Raven xxx
That's the gluten free ones I mean.
The types of gluten free foods you can get, and the number of them go up and down like a you know what.
One day you see three or four varieties of a certain type. You go back a fortnight later and not one shop has any, and has no idea if they can get anymore or not.
Some supermarkets seem to bring out their own brand, and then drop it. The usual excuse is 'ohh there's no call for them', or 'we don't sell enough'.
No, because you've never got enough stocked, or chose where to send them at random.
(Boy am I now on a rant, sorry)
The other excuse I got once, 'was oh people aren't eating gluten free stuff any more'!!!
Excuse me while I fall on the floor and have a screaming fit! Or wonder...why?
Do they know how many people are Coeliac or intolerant? For those people it's not a lifestyle choice or a fad, it's a bleeping necessity.
And for those of us, we scour the shelves and mourn the fact that the choices are limited. And expensive.
And wonder where (if anywhere) we can get our favourites again.
These for instance, amongst others.