#WeekendCoffeeShare: Ice, Please.

Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Diana at partimemonsterblog.com.  If we were having coffee today, on July 23rd, I’d tell you that I have iced mocha or regular coffee, with creamer and two ice cubes in mine, how about you?  I’d also tell you–

My son has been working his job regularly, and this is a good thing.  It gives him a sense of purpose, even though it may not seem like a “career” job, but he is getting a good number of hours, despite coming home early when it storms.  It is an outdoor job, and he loves that sort of thing.  I worry about him less when he works, since his mind is occupied and he loves physical work.  Wednesday he was off, and we took a nice little walk at the beach, stopping at a quaint coffee shop afterward.  I posted a few photos of things seen on our walk Thursday in a post titled, “Echoes of My Neighborhood.”

On the author front, I am trying out Hootsuite for my social media.  There was one day I couldn’t post because it had a glitch.  But I have set up some posts to start this Weds.  We’ll see how it runs!  I won’t use it for WordPress, though, because I believe that my voice is more authentic if I write, edit when I can, and post when I am ready.  Yes, sometimes that means posting in the moment.  I also have been running a Kindle Countdown offer for my latest sci-fi book, Detours in Time, which will be just $1.99 in Kindle format until 7/25, with a comparable savings in the UK.  So far, I can say I’ve sold more books than I would have otherwise.  That’s the goal!  Feel free to check out the preview of my book or to get your own copy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711ZW6XF   I will not reduce this book any lower or put it on free promo. for a while, because I have spent a good amount of money on editing, promo., cover, and marketing materials.  A fellow author, Carol James Marshall, wrote a blog post on that, titled “Art is Not Free.”  She’s right.  Seriously.  Imagine if pro- athletes spent the first year of their career earning less money than they spent to get into the game.  In fact, a Time.com article states rookies get a “league minimum base salary of $450,000.” * Unreal, right?  Our priorities are messed up, when you also consider beginning teachers’ or police officers’ salaries.  Ugh.  Okay, rant over.  Reviews for my book are coming in at an overall average of 4 stars for my first 8 reviews.  That’s even good for a batting average, right?

  Detours in Time, a sci-fi, time-travel tale.

On that subject of art not being free, I thought of my own reading and buying habits.  If something is advertised for free, yes, I’m likely to load it on my Kindle.  Heck, I may see two different free books and load them.  Will I hurry to read them? No, not unless someone else has recommended.  Does anyone value something that is being given away?  I’m also less likely to give a review on a free book.  I also might likely speed through it.  So, I am trying to spread the news and make it seen, so that buyers are more likely to purchase it and value it.  This also means I need to learn to use AMS Amazon ads, which is a whole other blog post.  🙂

I had a great weekend with some work buddies at a cookout that was relaxing and led to much over-eating.  I am not doing much cardio this summer, just yoga.  It’s so hot for cardio!  (I live in Florida).I’m also spending a lot of time learning about my avocation as an author, jotting down ideas, spreading news of my book, and honing my writing skill.  I love the Flash fiction challenges here on WordPress!   This week, I joined in on a Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Challenge and wrote my own, titled “Stairway to Heaven.”  You may find it here at https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2017/07/21/stairway-to-heaven-flash-fiction-for-aspiring-writers-fffaw/  for a short escape!

Last night, my boyfriend and I watched the movie, Memento, with Guy Pearce.  It came out about fifteen years ago.  I recently read a blog post about Christopher Nolan movies, and it was mentioned.  I remember that this movie struck me and had an impression on me.  It was highly acclaimed in this blog post.  I regard it highly as well.  While watching, it didn’t seem like my boyfriend liked it.  He found it confusing.  Well, yes it is.  A lot of it goes in reverse order.  Not only that, you get glimpses of an event, but not all of the event, so you really can’t figure it out until the end.  This movie will disorient you, and I think that is the goal.  The main character had a brain injury and has a short-term memory disorder.  He can’t make new memories.  So, as he’s trying to find out who his wife’s killer is, he is putting together clues that he will forget about moments later unless he takes snapshots, makes notes, or tattoos them on his body.  And these brief glimpses we get are probably much like those that a person with such a memory disorder would have.  I felt sad for him, because for such a person, it is almost impossible to put the big picture together, much like any viewer of the movie will have trouble predicting where it’s going or even knowing for sure who villains are.  Again, the movie does make a point, a very sharp, cutting point.  I’m sure that’s the intent.

Thanks for tuning in to my Weekend Coffee Share. It turned out longer than intended, but it does sum up my week.  I couldn’t help but get on a tangent with the “Art is not Free” statement.  I truly respect the arts and would like to see them elevated in status in our society once again, to include Literature, Art, Poetry, Oral Storytelling ( where people would pay $20 without batting an eye to hear a really good storyteller, just like they pay $50-100 or more for famous musicians and far beyond that for sports games).  Ah, maybe I’m just a dreamer.  🙂

If we were having coffee, I’d also ask you about your week.  Feel free to share with me, or visit Diana’s blog and add your link to your written coffee share by clicking on the blue button at http://parttimemonsterblog.com/2017/07/22/weekendcoffeeshare-in-which-i-am-a-wee-lazy/   Have a great week!

• The referenced Time article can be found at http://time.com/money/4626448/heres-the-salary-of-every-quarterback-in-the-nfl-playoffs/

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

#WeekendCoffeeShare. Of Books, Dogs, and Yoga.

Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Emily at nerdinthebrain.com.  It goes like this, If we were having coffee today, on the 24th of June, I’d tell you that:

I actually worked on a book manuscript today!  (Not the one I just published).  Well, the draft is already written, but little bits and pieces have been coming to me, and today I finally decided to add them in.  I can’t tell you my word count, because I only do that during NANOWRIMO.  I’m sure I’ll be adding more to this one.  It felt so good, because it seems such a long time since I’ve done that.  You see, I’ve been working on promoting my new sci-fi release, and most of my writing efforts have gone into that.  I must say, though, I really miss entering the Flash fiction challenges, and I need to get back into it.  The Weekend Coffee Share has been my one semi-regular post in the blogger community.     Photo:  Detours in Time is my new sci-fi release.  Buy link is in my footnote!

You see, I’ve been writing blog guest posts and answering interview questions in order to get featured on other blogs.  I’ve been contacting book bloggers about reviews and writing those e-mails, as well as searching my book for some really good teaser quotes to add to my Canva graphics.  I published a post earlier this week that explores part of the background in Detours in Time, which is the 1990s.  Find it here:  https://pamelascanepa.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/10-reasons-the-1990s-were-not-so-bad/ This week, I was also part of a blog tour that I signed up for through a blogger in Ireland.  Each day, a different part or element of my book was revealed. Friday, my first page was featured at https://thefirstpageblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/23/419/  Please do go and check it out!

The book promo graphic that I made on Canva and posted Thursday.  It’s a quote teaser from Detours in Time.  If you couldn’t tell, it’s a time-travel book. 🙂

You may also want to visit this link this weekend, where my book is being featured and a giftcard giveaway takes place when you sign up for my newsletter (a once or twice monthly update) and follow my social media:  https://eskiemamareads.blogspot.com/2017/06/eskiemama-dragon-lady-reads-saturday_24.html

Other than writing and book promo, I’ve been reading Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.  The social dynamics from that era are interesting.  I have also been going to yoga class and trying some yoga at home.  I go to the studio at least twice a week, get some cardio at some point, and then try to get on the mat at home a few days.  The yoga at home doesn’t last long.  My dog thinks I’m just having fun, so he comes and rolls around on the mat.  It’s a little distracting, but I get what yoga  I can until he just has to have attention.

Dog on the mat!  Not distracting at all. 🙂

So, all the writing and typing gets my shoulders in knots.  Therefore, I had to have a massage yesterday.  It was great!  Later today, I am headed to St. Augustine Beach with my boyfriend Kenny.  We’ll get some beach time, and then later, we’ll have a really good dinner.  It’s his birthday weekend!  I so need a little getaway.  We may get to the shops, unless it’s too hot.  This heat has been overwhelming at times.  Even lukewarm coffee gets to me.  My room also has thin curtains so the sun comes in, full force and bright.  I wouldn’t trade it for the world, though.  My corner should be and needs to be sunny to maintain my state of mind.  I can always go to another room to cool off!

On the home range, things are still going well.  I had to catch my attitude, as I am the only driver in my family right now.  I am not used to being a caretaker for the family.  For my child, yes, I’m used to that.  I had to check my attitude, though.  It left me feeling petty.  I gifted my mom with a pack of Klondike bars, though, and she was so appreciative.  Everyone seems to be on the uphill climb lately.

Well, that’s my week.  How about yours?  Please leave me a comment, and visit Emily’s Coffee Share.  You may even want to post your own #weekendcoffeeshare.    http://www.nerdinthebrain.com/weekendcoffeeshare-the-one-where-life-just-keeps-being-fun/

Have a great weekend!

Nature on My Morning Walk, #echoesofmyneighborhood #4

 

Photo: A wonderful juxtaposition- A Florida palm and a Canadian Goose!

Come with me on a morning walk through my neighborhood.  Today was a treat, with visits from geese, ducks, and squirrels in addition to our usual view of flora and fauna.  They seem to love our lakes in my duplex community.  My dog was in canine heaven!  I didn’t get up as early as I’d like, so the sun was in its full glory and the brightness shows in my photographs.  The sunlight seems quite powerful here in Florida.  Still, there was plenty of nature around for me to photograph and enjoy!  It sure got Bixby excited…

Have I ever mentioned how life-changing it is when you haven’t had a dog in a long time, and then you welcome one into your heart and home again?  Since adopting Bixby, I have seen more nature and more sunrises than I had seen in the last ten years, at least! The responsibility of taking him out to relieve himself doesn’t feel much like responsibility on a summer day, when I am on my own time.  It is more of a pleasure, and sometimes an adventure.  He loves running into some wildlife on our walks!  What a splendid way to get closer to nature.

“Just let go of the leash, Mom.  We’ll make it look like an accident.”

Sure, those geese can be loud and messy (think of the poor sidewalk), but I really like hearing their call.  I think Bixby does too.  He looks a little frustrated here.  I think he wanted to get much closer to them than I would allow. 😉  Well, I’ve heard they can be quite mean when they feel threatened.

Let’s not forget about ducks!  This is right before they took flight.  They sensed they were being stalked….

Ears automatically perk up when we see more feathered friends.

Sometimes Bixby will pull on that leash and get right up close to those birds.  That’s when they fly off, making all kinds of panicky, warning noises.  He looks back at me as if to smile, saying, “See, it was just in good fun.”  Perhaps it’s just part of the adventure of life for him.  I call him my furry toddler.  He helps me see lots of things through the eyes of a child and that is such a pick-me-up.  He seems to have a forever toddler’s spirit.

The birds have all run off.  He tried to chase some squirrels, too, but those things will skitter up a tree so quickly, I couldn’t even get them on camera!  Bixby stands at the base looking up, as if he’s wondering, How did they get up there?  He truly seems to stand there and think about it for a few minutes.  He seems really curious about the water, but I don’t think he wants to jump in.  Well, I’m not really sure.  At any rate, it was a great morning for a walk in my neighborhood!

Echoes of My Neighborhood is a Thursday blog challenge, initiated by fellow blogger Jacqueline Obyikocha, who blogs at http://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com .  Jacqueline is very supportive of other bloggers and always inspires me with her poetry and photography.  Please stop by and peruse her blog.  While there, you should also visit her Echoes of My Neighborhood posts, or you can get to them directly at http://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/category/travel-2/dubai/echos-of-my-neighbourhood/   You won’t be disappointed!