"Raindrops on Roses" and Wildfires in Forests...

That is not my favorite song this year. But while I'm saddened by the flash floods, the mud slides, the fires raging out of control, the ongoing political turmoil, the conspiracy theories, the persistent pandemic, I'm reminded that the radius to the edge of my circle of influence remains a stone's throw away. As I stand in the center of my circle, I can choose either to complain, to feel trapped, helpless, and defeated . . . or to feel inspired to put more effort into those things within my ability to control, if only slightly.

• I cannot control the weather.
• I cannot control our government.
• I cannot control those with opinions contrary to mine.
• I cannot control this dastardly virus.

• I can make the area around our home safer, I can minimize my carbon footprint, and I can remember I won't melt in the rain (even on my witchiest of days!).
• I can research issues and candidates intelligently and exercise my right to vote.
• I can choose not to engage with those on social media platforms whose goals are to spread unsubstantiated falsehoods and provoke hatred, fear, and anger. 
• I can follow the guidelines recommended by legitimate professionals to keep myself healthy and to encourage others to do the same.

I've been working for hours in our garden and around our home recently because the unusual amount of rain this year where we live has caused an explosion of weeds--some lovely, most not so. How I wish I could wave my witchy wand and send the downpours to surrounding fires.

 

Here's my latest YouTube video in which I share our garden and the magnificent efforts my husband invested to create the perfect place for veggies to conquer weeds (with help, of course)! Dirty Hoe Days!

I choose to be inspired. How about you?

:)

• June 25-27: Salida Art Walk was fabulous despite the sporadic rainy spells! Local authors took shifts outside The Book Haven  to autograph books and answer questions, and the public was wonderfully supportive! Such fun. CCWE will certainly participate again next year!

Moi, L.V. Ditchkus, and Judy "Gaga" Gabardi at during Salida Art Walk outside The Book Haven (SalidaBooks)!

• July 17th (this Saturday!) at 7 p.m., First Place award winners for the 80th Annual CAL awards will be announced! You can join the watch party here! 

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AUTOGRAPHED BOOK MAKE GREAT GIFTS!
(contact me if you'd like a personalized autograph of any of my books)

• I recently interviewed John Cameron, owner of SalidaBooks (formerly The Book Haven), but our reception was wonky, so I'm going to reschedule an in-store session! If you're not following him on TikTok, you're missing out on good fun and great book reviews!
• I'll be interviewing two blokes from Australia next month: Adam Ashton and Adam Jones. They've just published their first book--the sh*t they never taught you--and they host a podcast called What You Will Learn. Should be great fun! Hoping our reception isn't wonky...
• Send me your news, peeps!

• Chaffee County Writers Exchange (CCWE) 
• Colorado Authors League (CAL)
• Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA)
• Colorado Central Magazine for Colorado-related essays.
• Persimmon Tree Magazine (online) for women authors/poets/artists over the age of 60.
• The Tiferet Journal, "Fostering peace through literature & art"
• The Colorado Sun, Write On, Colorado
• PEN America, "The Freedom to Write"

[photo credit by Elise Sunday; a fall day on the Arkansas River, Buena Vista, CO]

Have you checked out my  podcast Alligator Preserves lately? There are unique short stories and interviews and insights galore!