Judy's Escape

Hidden Sheet

2012-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Now, we’re officially into the New Year. I did remember to write down my Resolutions. Did
you?

At the beginning of each New Year, I write a list of 5 things that I want to accomplish by the
end of that year. These 5 items are my personal ‘wants,’ no one else’s. I think
about my list long and hard before writing those words. Sometimes, I write the
list on an old napkin, tattered sheet of paper, a post-it, or whatever’s
available at the time I remember to think about what I want to list– yes, I
write it – not type.

Afterward, I hid it in my desk drawer where I won’t forget at yearend, but it’s out of sight, so
that I will not think about throughout the year. And, I really do forget about it. You know
that old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind” really works. Anyway, as you know, the New Year starts with a bang and when you blink, it’s time to be thinking of a new list.

Once people start to mention Resolutions, even if it’s on television, my brain clicks and I
remember to check my list. Hmm, by that time I can’t even remember what wrote.

I’ve been doing this for several years, and it totally blows me away at how much I actually
accomplished on my list. Remember, it’s a short list, but it’s mine and only
mine. Someone once said (I have no idea who, but it’s been said I’m sure by
many and I know you’ve heard it) that it’s a subconscious thing. When we made a
list that’s important to us, our brain remembers and we subconsciously work toward
accomplishing that goal.

Try it.

2012

2012-01-02T13:47:00.001-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here's a toast to you and yours on my wed sites:

Judy Baker ; Anna Sugg

Christmas Jell-O Recipe

2011-12-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

I want to express my appreciation for those of you that have supported me throughout the year. I want to share a Christmas recipe and hope you enjoy this Jell-O Salad as much as my family and I have throughout the years, probably as many as fifteen Christmases – does that make it a Christmas tradition?

It’s called “Christmas Raspberry Carousel”

1 3 oz Raspberry box Jello
2 Cups boiling water
¾ Cups Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1 Cup Diced Apples
¼ Cup Celery, diced
¼ Cup Walnuts
1 3oz Lemon Jello
1 4 ½ oz Cool Whip
½ Cup Real Mayonnaise

Dissolve Raspberry jello in 1 cup boiling water…Add Cocktail Juice, chill

Fold in apples, celery, nuts into the raspberry jello and pour into mold – chill
Dissolve lemon gelatin in 1 cup boiling water – chill

Combine Cool Whip and Mayonnaise
Stir into lemon jello
Spoon over raspberry mold
Chill
Unmold, garnish

Sorry about the picture, that's all that was left from a Christmas dinner party I had last night. I forgot to take a picture of the mold, but it gives you an idea of what the mold could look like.

By the way, if you didn't get my recipe for my delicious carrot cake - see the previous blog for 'Sherry's Carrot Cake'

Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas. Judy

Merry Christmas

2011-12-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

I’m one of those ‘weird’ people that others don’t understand – yup, you’re right - I start listening to Christmas music in August. Once I started writing a Christmas themed story in December and listened to Christmas music all the way through April, when I finally wrote “The End.” I about drove my hubby crazy when I decided to write two more books (during the summer months) to complete my Santa Series: Santa’s Pretty Lady, Santa’s Secret Gift, Mainland Santa. And, yes of course, you have to have the music while writing. All my e-books are written under my alter-ego Anna Sugg. Read a blurb on my website: http://anna_sugg.coffeecup.com

I have so many wonderful Christmas memories that I have often started out writing a Christmas story, until my characters head into a different direction. That’s what happened when I wrote Secret Past, A Yellow Creek Novel.
My family always went to my grandparents’ farm in Tennessee for Christmas when I was a child. To this day, the memories of so many special Christmases put a smile on my lips. They’re so dear to me since both my grandparents and parents are gone. In Secret Past, my character returns to her grandmother’s farm and while taking a journey through the past, she remembers a fun Christmas Eve spent at the farm. While there a vision of her grandmother appears…and, so, my story is off and running in a different direction. But, those Christmas feelings are still living within me to this day.

When visiting my family in Tennessee in 1988, my sister, Sherry, gave me a recipe that I thought would make the best holiday cake ever. Now, years later, I’m making the same cake for our Christmas dinner dessert. We make traditions sometimes that can last a lifetime. I would like to share my Christmas recipe with you…

Sherry's Carrot Cake
2 cups of sugar
1 ¼ cups of vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 ½ cups cake flour
2 ¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups finely shredded carrots
3 ½ cups black walnuts
Combined sugar, oil, egg (one at a time) Mix well after each egg
Stir in carrots
Add nuts
Sift together: flour, baking soda, cinnamon
Stir into mixture
Pour into 3 greased 9 inch round cake pans
Bake 30-35 minutes
Cool

Cake Icing
1 8oz package cream cheese – softened
1/4 cup butter – softened
1 lb box soft confection sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon lemon juice
Blend cream cheese and butter until smooth
Add sugar, gradually mixing
Stir in lemon and vanilla
If frosting seems too soft – refrigerate for a few minutes

I decorate our entire house for Christmas and I start at Thanksgiving. My husband drags the Christmas tree from the storage area and sets it up in the living room. We don’t decorate the tree, but always have the lights on for Thanksgiving dinner which adds to the festive atmosphere. Once Thanksgiving dinner is over, I sat back, relax, have a glass of wine, and watch the grandkids decorated the Christmas tree. My hubby likes that tradition. They always do a beautiful job, with their parent’s help of course, or else, only the bottom half of the tree would be decorated. I put up two more trees the next day and by the weekend I decorate the rest of the house, including the bathrooms. I would love to hear from you at drake31704@yahoo.com and please visit my website: http://judybaker.coffeecup.com

My next post will be my cheeseball recipe with BB's Special Seasonings - another tradition that just happened years ago.

Merry Christmas to you and your love ones. Judy

Santa Series

2011-12-02T08:49:00.001-08:00

Christmas E-books Santa SeriesAVAILABLE NOW
Lena Belle tries to reject the love of a man whose only job for the moment is playing Santa for the department store. Yet, he stirs an emotion within her that she has not felt for many years. How could she fall in love with a homeless Santa? Would he be willing to work for their relationship? Supporting a man once in a lifetime is enough. She will not be the sole provider and risk another divorce.
Madison Sanford never dreamed a gift from a secret Santa could give her hope and a chance to take her daughter and run. Once safe in the arms of the sisters at St. Paul’s shelter, their new life melts into days of happiness, until her past catches up with her and her secret Santa shows up at the shelter, homeless. Now, to correct a malicious feat, she must leave the happy life behind and return to the man that could destroy her.
Dr. Brianna Sanford would miss the smell of the salty ocean air, the winter Hawaiian nights with their perfect conditions for stargazing, and the island’s constant eighty-two degree temperatures. As her job at the prestigious Hawaiian hotel nears an end, Brianna meets Cagney Malloy. Since breaking off an engagement, Brianna Sanford has decided all men have only two things on their mind: sex and secrets. Cagney Malloy is no different. He has a secret. She wouldn’t care, except her feelings for the man had become more than she expected. All e-Books available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com http://anna_sugg.coffeecup.com

A Christian Writing Non-Christian Novels

2011-07-21T10:44:00.000-07:00
All my life, I’ve looked to God for guidance and he’s been there for me. Being a Christian, I have faith in my God to lead me through all that I accomplish in my life. That being said, I write romance novels and discovered many Christians think I should only write Christian novels. I don’t. I tried. Not me. A long time ago, I asked God for wisdom to make right decisions in the directions of my stories. I feel I've written stories true to what God had given me.

If you’re a Christian and write novels that aren’t spiritually Christian stories, can you let me know? I’d like to know there are others that believe in God and have faith that their writing is directed by Him. I believe we can be faithful Christians and still write romantic, suspenseful, non-Christian stories.

Just finished updating my website, take a look http://judybaker.coffeecup.com

Also, I want to share two pictures with you. My YaYa Sisters got together in May at Myrtle Beach SC and had a wonderful time. My hubby and I went to Hawaii in April and the weather was perfect, while at home in Utah, they had snow!

YaYa Sisters Trip

Big Island, Hawaii

Words

2011-02-05T07:30:00.000-08:00
I found a great quote that I want to share with my fellow writers:

To read is to empower
To empower is to write
To write is to influence
To influence is to change
To change is to live
Jane Evershed (More than a Tea Party)

So far my first month in this New Year has been pretty good. I’ve ignored those excuses that keep you from writing – you know what they are, I won’t even bother to list any. To see my actual progress in writing, I’m keeping an Excel chart of words written each day. It’s an eye opener. Try it and when you look back at a week’s worth of writing of what you thought was a good week, you might be surprised. I found that keeping a chart causes me to be aware of wanting to be able to put a number down instead of ‘0’ (If you want a format copy of my chart, let me know and I’ll share). In January, I completed half of a manuscript that I had started last year. Not only have I been writing my story, I also submitted two completed manuscripts and query an agent.

Do I dare to dream? Yes. Are you daring to dream? Are you taking a risk, that’s what it takes to dream? Let me know. Judy

End of 2010

2010-12-30T09:14:00.001-08:00
Wow! Where did the year go? No…on second thought, where did the decade go? I think time seems to fly within our mental faculties because we are so caught up in a constant whirlwind of ‘doing'. To quote Stephanie Meyer, Twilight, 2005: “I was thinking about how disjointedly time seemed to flow, passing in a blur at times, with single images standing out more clearly than others. And then, at other times, every second was significant, etched in my mind.”

I sat down to write my list of what I want to accomplish in 2011 and realized I really should also be thinking about the next decade. Why did the last two decade seem to jump ahead in lightening speed, landing us in another doorway into the next one? Well, if 2020 arrives as quickly as 2010 did, I had better get busy and decide where I want to be tomorrow, which of course, will be today before I know it. My calendar is already filling up and I really want to say that in the next ten years, I want to learn how to enjoy the moment. So, what does that mean? If the next decade flies by as fast as the last, I better not waste a moment, but enjoy and accomplished what needs to be done in that moment.

When I glanced back at my calendar year, I realized I did accomplish something: completed two manuscripts and started another; taught a workshop at RWA National in Orlando, Florida; took a workshop by Bob Myers; pulled off a great huge event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for my day job; had a wonderful YaYa Sister trip with my sisters in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; a fun motorcycle trip to Elko, NV with hubby on his Harley; ended the year with a great family vacation to Disney World. These are all positive things that I feel good about, forget the negative stuff.

Thank you for being part of my life and supporting me in my endeavors to be a better writer. Judy

Hair Cut

2010-08-07T08:07:00.001-07:00
I did it! A new do after having long, long hair all my life. Check it out. Not sure about short hair, but HAIR GROWS. It was for a good cause anyway - sent my 13" ponytail to LOCKS of LOVE.

2010 Ya Ya Trip

2010-06-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, just returned from a yearly YaYa Sisterhood trip with my three sisters (two sisters now live in NC, one lives in Wichita, KS and I live in SLC, UT). Check out the pictures below.

This time we didn’t go to the ocean, but traveled through three states: Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. We spent our nights deep in the forest of Missouri by a lake in an area called Shelby Knob. It was beautiful; except for the haunted cabin, we rented which kept making wired noises in the evening.

My favorite place was Eureka Springs, Arkansas. An old Victorian Mountain Village nestled in the luscious green forest of the Ozarks. The authentic preserved Victorian homes reflected the era of historically accurate pastel colors and ornate decorations. The mode of travel was by trolley, which gave us a sample of yesteryear. There are lots of places to eat and many, many shops to venture into and check out all the local artwork. We decided to spend a night in the old haunted Crescent Hotel, built in 1886 on the very top of the hill overlooking Eureka Springs.
The quaint old hotel had all the original rooms with the exception of very old, old, somewhat modern bathroom. We didn’t have any experience with unusual sounds like we did on the lake cabin, but the toilet didn’t work – just too old we were told and had to run to another room. It was great to be with my sisters once again. We talked until two in the morning, eat way too much and always had desserts (yes, dessertS) after every dinner, and we constantly laughed so hard we cried. Love my sisters.

Jane, Judy Ann, Judy Gail, Sherry

Heart of the West Conference

2009-10-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

I just returned from Park City, Utah where I attended the 2009 Heart of the West Conference. What a wonderful experience. If you’re a writer, there’s one thing I know for sure – you need support. The best way to get that support is by mingling with other writers. Getting together with all your old writing friends and making new ones is worth every dime it cost to attend the conference. The location was The Lodge at Deer Valley, Park City, UT with its awesome panorama of fall colors. We even woke up to a light snow on Sunday morning. The mountain air, clear and crisp, can be so inspiring that one could spend a week there and do nothing but write.

The chance to see all the Utah RWA members and meet the terrific agents and editors was and is always the highlight of my yearly membership with RWA. The speakers were inspiring, especially our very own Melissa Mayhue and Raeanne Thayne. Funny how they both said they were not speakers, but writers. Well, they kept my attention and we all know they’re great writers. Along with these two NY Times bestselling authors we had the opportunity to meet and hear Elizabeth Lane, Jo Leigh (read her Ms. Match, which was hot-review below), Nichole Jordan and Rachel Gibson. The entire weekend was wonderful, not to mention the pile of free books that we received.

The conference ended with a book signing. I was excited to be able to participate with my 2009 release, The Quartering Act. I also had the privilege to have my display of books by author Phyllis Campbell who has a new release titled, Spanish Eyes, http://www.phyllismariecampbell.com/ .

Once again, thank you to all the Utah RWA committee that put such a wonderful conference together.

A Book Review: Ms. Match by Jo Leigh

I seem to go through dry spells and can’t find time to read and when I do – look out. I remember how fantastic it is to get lost in another world and meet all kinds of characters, so I start reading one book after another. Now, I have to discipline my mind so that I make sure I get back to writing. One late night during the conference, I decided to read a little before turning out the lights. I picked out a thin book from that huge pile received as a free gift at the conference, crawled into that huge bed with the fireplace roaring (not really – those gas fireplaces are very quiet), leaned into mounds of pillows and started reading Jo Leigh’s Ms Match. It’s a fast read and hot.
Her story reminded me of Cinderella, excepted the heroine was the ugly one and all her sisters were beautiful, which made for an interesting read. Her story was a quick read and I finished it around 1AM. Her plot and believable characters kept me turning pages until I had read the entire story, http://www.joleigh.com/ .

The Book of the Month for JB

2009-09-28T11:11:00.000-07:00
I know, it's about time I blogged...

Once again, our annual YaYa Sister trip brought my sisters and me together. Since we live so far apart, we plan a trip once a year to catch-up on our lives and families, as well as lots of talking, laughing, crying, sightseeing, and oh yes, eating. If you scroll down, there’s a picture of us at Charleston, SC. Last year we went to Myrtle Beach and this year we met in Greensboro, NC and drove to Williamsburg, VA.

I must admit, I love NC and its greenery. I know SC and VA are just as greeeeen, but there something about NC that stands out so beautifully. We ran around Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, and with all its history, it took us back in time. I was fascinated with the Powhatan Indians and their history, maybe because my WIP is about a woman kidnapped by an Indian clan. My sisters and I had a wonderful time and I can’t wait for next year’s trip (we’re thinking Palm Springs, CA).

On my flight home, I had a long layover – great time to read, huh? Of course, I’m searching through the bookshelves looking for an author that I’ve had contact with and want to support. There among all the Nora Roberts books, I found Annie Solomon’s One Deadly Sin. (http://www.anniesolomon.com/)

After promptly purchasing Annie’s new release, I found a corner seat in the warm sunshine (you know how cold those airports are) and started reading. From the first page to the end, I couldn’t put the book down. Almost missed the boarding call! I usually start reading and get sleepy on a long flight to SLC from NC, but Annie’s book kept me wide-awake.

Edie Swann, a biker, tattooed woman returns to her hometown for revenge. As a small child, her father committed suicide, but she believes he was murdered. She’s determined to find out the truth. Edie sends a subtle reminder to the men on her list. The shake up causes a reaction and talk throughout the town. One by one, the men on her list turn up dead.

Sheriff Holt Drennen finds all the evidence pointing toward Edie. He can’t believe she’s a murderer. He’s torn between the desire for her and his sworn duty to protect the town.

I give One Deadly Sin a top five posy from my wildflower garden - a gripping, compelling story that’s well worth a read.

No Rules

2009-07-10T10:31:00.000-07:00
After being flat on my back with pneumonia for two weeks, I finally started feeling better. And than, I receive a nice rejection letter from Dorchester. So, I decided I should read more of their #1 Best Sellers that I had not read before. Cassie Edwards has many American Native series, which is during the same period time for my novel. It is because of her book, Savage Sun and a few others that are well know authors that have put me on this soap opera box.

Cassie Edwards, Savage Sun storyline was interesting, but the entire novel could have been cut in half if she had not repeated Tall Moon and Rowena’s internal thoughts so many, many, many times. To get to the point of the story I found myself skipping repeats so often that I had to put the book down and returned later. Ms. Edwards’ favorite word throughout the entire book was “sarcastically.” The word began to be meaningless after a while. It took me longer than usual to finish her book.

I keep hearing writers, editors, and agents say there are no rules when it comes to writing your romance novel. I really disagree with that statement. First, if you’re a newbie, or published and submitting to the NY publishers, there are several rules that you should follow. Since I’m sure you’ve heard them all, I’ll not waste your time expanding on those subjects like POV, repeats, adverbs, etc. But, it appears many well-established, money making, published authors, are the one that have no rules. By the way, I don’t put all well known authors in this no rules category. We still have many writers that keep you turning the pages.

Thank you for letting me vent…now, I’ll step down off the box and finish with a smile.
After all…
We all have days when “Who am I fooling, I’m not awriter?” rings in our heads. Days when we get three rejection letters in the same batch of mail. We all have weeks and months when nothing we submit finds publication but here’s the solution...
Be Happy
Be Buoyant
Be Confident
Be Helpful
Be Positive!
These words by Grace Tierney helped me a bit.

Digital and RWA

2009-06-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

A must read article by Ms. Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency. If you're e-published and have a few issues with RWA, you must read this article. She writes what so many of us are thinking. You'll find her article at http://espan-rwa.com. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all that I've learned while being a member of RWA and I love my Utah chapter, but times are moving forward with digital and small presses. You're the woman of the day, Ms. Knight.

Quote

2009-06-11T06:47:00.001-07:00
"Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world." - Tom Clancy
Have you experienced that feeling? I have, when I finished The Quartering Act, and what excitement when you actually hold the book in your hand.
To all my writing friends, have a wonderful day. Judy

BOOK RELEASE: THE QUARTERING ACT

2009-05-18T15:14:00.000-07:00
by Judy Baker
The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: 5-22-2009

If you enjoy American historical romance novels, please check out
my new release. Now available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, or your favorite bookstore.

Please let me hear from you if you decide to read The Quartering Act. Thank you for leaving your comments. Judy

Reviews:
Reviews: 4 Cups give from Coffee Time Romance Reviews
The Quartering Act is a one of a kind novel. Very few books are based in the American Revolution and Ms. Baker captures the spirit perfectly. Katherine and Jeremy’s story is very romantic and well told as they must hide their love while war is raging all around them. The reader benefits from the research put into this book and can feel the fortitude of the patriots as they fight for their country. This novel is a great story of love and bravery and I enjoyed it immensely.
Bonnie Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

The Long and the Short of It Review - 4 Books
Ms. Baker does a masterful job weaving in the major conflicts around Boston so familiar from our history books. She twists the plot pulling the lovers away for a huge break in time allowing both to move toward other facets of their life. But as the course of true love pendulum swings, the man she marries is lost and her true love has one more chance to make things right. The madness of Katherine’s brother is portrayed perfectly. He is so consumed by hatred of the British that it turns his soul black. While we sympathize with his feelings, the reader will not condone his actions aka the sublime villain.The Quartering Act is an excellent read. I love the opening that gave us the flavor of the struggle against Britain and moved us gently toward the hero/heroine’s first meeting. I liked this much better than slamming them together. Such a broad story must be told with a bit of feeding. I hope that if you are into reading Regencies, you will take heart and pick up this story. I’d like to say it’s a great addition to any library and a new American Empire drama. Many thanks to Ms. Baker for an enjoyable book.

Blurb:

Katherine Heaton, a young patriot woman, stares into the eyes of the Redcoat officer standing over her father’s lifeless body. Stunned at what she has just witnessed, there is nothing she can do when the soldiers haul her brother away for hanging a British Stamp Agent. Devoted to her brother, and the cause, she will help him fight for independence. Captain Jeremy Burke, officer in the King’s army, arrives in the New World and discovers the colonies have an elegant simplicity that surprises him, especially the beautiful Heaton woman. He has never had a problem with self-discipline, until now. The painful road of time, separate lives, and war require determination and courage for two enemies to embrace a love so powerful and forbidden.

If you would like to read an excerpt go to http://www.judybakerauthor.com/

I Wish You Enough

2009-04-16T06:38:00.000-07:00
This little wish for you came across my computer by an unknown and I want to pass it on...

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear...
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.

Author: Unknown

Wishing you enough, Judy

Accomplishments

2009-03-26T09:07:00.001-07:00
As I look back at 2008, I realize how fast the year went, is it because we live in a state of constant motion? Each day we have reminders of what we have on our plates. I get up early every morning, have my first cup of coffee, or two, and then, write a To Do List for the day. Yup, I’m a list person. There was a point in my life where my list would grow longer as Friday approached. I finally learned not to stress if something on that list was not completed. Oh, it’s taken me years to learn to accept not being superwoman and realize that I can only accomplish what I can do in the hours given. Of course, now that I’m old…uh…err, I seem to have slowed down a bit, making my list shorter. Too bad we have to add some years before we become a little wiser.

I have a great sense of accomplishment for that forever gone 2008, especially in my writing career and in my personal life. I signed a contract for my American historical, The Quartering Act, polished two short stories to submit in 2009, and completed a whole manuscript, my first romance suspense. All this makes me excited for 2009. Are you?

Let me share this small personal thought with you. I’m still not sure why I write these stories, but they’re in my head and want to be written. Sometimes, I get so discouraged at trying to find the words to describe a scene, but can’t, and after awhile, I finally admit to God that I can not do this without His help. Before I know it, the words are on the screen staring back. So I keep writing.

My husband, Brett, and I decided to start camping early 2008. Our thoughts were to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life. We decided to try this new adventure, so we purchased a trailer – of course, I needed a real bed, bathroom, stove, microwave, TV, fridge, heater & air conditioner-oh yeah, generator or electricity of some kind. I guess all this makes us RVer’s and not campers! So be it. Well, to make a long story short, Brett, Teal’c (our dog), and I took off on our first camping trip. To our surprise, we loved it.

During our summer getaways, I was able to take my laptop and write with nothing drawing my attention elsewhere, you know what I mean-all that stuff that happens at home and at work, in other words, everyday life. Not only did I do lots of writing, but my husband and I talked for hours, sat around a campfire with a glass of wine and watched the stars come out (I’m a stargaze, but that another store), took long walks during the day with Teal’c, and oh yeah, laughed and smiled a lot. This is the sweet life. But, as you know, Monday mornings arrive all too soon, and I’m pulled back into the work routine and its responsibilities, no matter how great the job. Oh, yes, did I forget to mention dealing with all the quirky issues that go on within my dysfunctional family. We can’t stop those things from happening, but we can take the time, and should, to reunite with each other and nature. If you support yourself, your writing will show it.

I share this with you to wish you the best during this New Year in all that you want to accomplish. Take a moment to enjoy life to its fullest; don’t let yourself get so caught up in the crust of life that you forget to stop and “smell the roses.” Try it and you just might discover that your writing will bloom larger than you expected. My dear writing friends and readers, take care of yourselves, so that you might care for others.