Making Progress

Hi folks, we had a few rainy days last week, but the weekend has come out sunny (sort of) and the building of the studio extension is progressing nicely. (Better than my WIP) Yesterday we put in the windows and door. See?

Today has been an effort to get the siding on. Yep, we’re getting there.

K has been making rhubarb jam, but even after the harvest the plant looks the same. You can’t even tell where she pulled the stalks for the jam. Awesome.

This summer I plan to dig up more of that blasted excuse for a lawn and plant more food. Grow food, not lawns! Not only do you get free food, but look at all the money you save on lawn care.

On to ROW80.

 Sadly, I must admit to a slow week this week. I think I’m safe to claim 4K words and a number of blogs read and commented on, but that’s about all. Too much of my writing time fell to unexpected trips to town and other errands this past week. (the dentist for example)

The plan for the upcoming week is a bit more self-discipline and a bit more progress on the WIP. I also hope to get some work done on the June edition of the newsletter.

So tell me what you’ve been up to this week. Having barrels of fun I hope. Let me know how you’re doing, I love to hear from you.

Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter (top right of the page). There’s news, views, and other stuff in there that you can’t find anywhere else. J

Immortal Rhubarb

Hi folks, today I want to talk rhubarb and a ROW80 check-in. No, they are not the same thing, stop laughing. Let’s start with rhubarb. This is an interesting plant that reproduces from seeds, but also from root cuttings. Who cares? She does.

There she sits, in my back yard where she has been for a very long time, perhaps generations. She was probably brought here by the Irish immigrants hundreds of years ago. Who can say how far back in time her history goes? One thing I can be sure of, this beautiful gal predates Monsanto and GMOs by a long shot.

So there she sits, enjoying a rainy day and proudly displaying her seeds for all to see, just as she has done for millennia.  Just how tall is my sassy lassy? Here’s a pic from last year so you can see.

I truly hope my legacy will last as long as hers has. J

ROW80

Okay, for today’s check in I will admit to writing 5K words in the past week of busy madness. I have also managed to read and comment on a few blogs as well, but not nearly half as many as I would liked to have.

So there it is, 5K, lots of mad rushed trips to town, lots of waiting for boats, one trip to the dentist, and a great idea for a future book. No, I’ll tell you about that later. J

Let me know how you’re doing, I do love to hear from you. You can also sign up for my newsletter which will give you more about what’s going on here in the middle of the ocean. The link is at the top on the right.

Until next week, may your days be filled with sunshine and smiling faces.

All Wrapped Up

Hi folks, here I am again with another ROW80 check-in and a studio report. Things have slowed down a bit this week in the building department. However, we did manage to wrap up a few things.  See?

Skipped out one sunny afternoon with the dogs for a walk in the woods. We found plenty of wild strawberry plants in bloom. There was one lonely bee trying to pollinate a field of these. Hopefully she returned to the hive and brought back reinforcements. Here’s what a wild strawberry blossom looks like.

ROW80 Check-in.

I did manage 5K words this week, but I had a minor disaster yesterday. I was happily working away when the last three words I had written appeared on the screen in giant bold print. I carefully backspaced until they were gone then tried to scroll up to the rest of the document. There was nothing there, nada. 28K gone.

I had a minor stroke then took a deep breath and hit undo. The three bold words returned, nothing more. I reached for the panic button and pushed hard; I hadn’t backed up that doc for days. Finally a small voice began to break through the madness. “Just close the doc and don’t save the changes,” it said. “Better to lose 1K than 28K.” Slowly, carefully, I followed those instructions. It worked.

Today I arose at 5:30 to write, I had some catching up to do and I did, sort of. 5K for the week, eight blogs commented on, and a walk through a strawberry patch. Life is good.

The first edition of my monthly newsletter went out a few days ago. Check your spam folder if you didn’t get yours. I put in a snippet from the next book in the Nova series.

If you’d like to receive my monthly newsletter, the sign up link is at the top right of the page. Just click on my smiling face and then sign up. Easy peasy.

So, drop me a note to let me know how you’re doing. I love to hear from you. J

Another 5K, Walls, and a Roof

Hi folks, time for another ROW80 update. It has been a busy, yet productive week here on the island. I have managed to fit in a bit of writing too. This week the tally is five thousand words, walls, and a roof. Here’s the evidence. J

Walls in progress.

Roof under construction.

Break time.

Shingles going on.

Results so far.

Well, that’s it for me, folks. With luck we'll get the windows and door in and the siding on over the next few weeks. there will be pictures of the progress. 

What have you been up to this week? I’d love to hear from you.

Studio Expansion

Hi folks, we’ve got a rainy day here, just in time for a post and a ROW80 check-in. I’ve been distracted a lot lately and one of the reasons is the planning and construction of the studio expansion. Last year you got to see the original construction. This time you can watch the expansion. So saying, here’s the beginning.  First we dig the sod away and set the blocks.

Then we build a floor in the rain. (Didn’t plan that, honest. It wasn't raining when we started.)

Then you cover it up with tarps and wait for a better day to build walls. 

The picture of me, soaked to the bone and kicking back at the computer while I wait for a turn in the shower will be in my monthly newsletter. There will also be a sneak peek at the next book in the Nova Series. You can sign up for that here. J

 http://prudencemacleod.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f67841d7036c1f2d941348a07&id=d95c43d300

Now for the ROW80 check in.

All other goals have been put on hold except for reading and commenting on a blog a day and trying to reach 10K words each week.

This week I managed to read and comment on blogs, but fell a bit short on the writing. I’m at just under 5K for the week. Ahhh, I will try harder this coming week.

Well, that’s it for me today folks, what sorts of fun things are you all up to? I hope all you ROWers are doing better than I am. I’d love to hear from you all.

People Watching and More

The day was bright and beautiful, the clear waters tossed into waves by a cool breeze that chilled the air enough to warrant a jacket. As usual I was people watching as we waited for the ferry boat to arrive.

It was her long silvery hair dancing in the breeze that first caught my eye. The woman moved slowly, laboriously, along the beach, a cane clutched in her left hand and a dog’s leash in the right. Although the uneven ground made walking troublesome for her, she seemed to be enjoying herself.

The dog, an aging Malamute, walked placidly beside her as she tottered along, occasionally catching her balance with the aid of the cane. A post caught the beast’s attention and he stopped to investigate. She tugged once on the leash, but was ignored.

Smiling, she leaned on her cane and let the wind blow her hair back from her face while the dog completed his inspection of the post. This was not a young face, yet it was a face of exceptional beauty, and that smile truly lit up the world. When the dog finished they moved on again, she speaking softly to him and he gazing at her with complete adoration.

The love and devotion between these two was unconditional and beautiful to see. It warmed my heart and made my day.

Now for the ROW80 Check-in! 

Okay, I have been slack, worse, I have barely written a word in the past week. I have a long list of excuses, but that’s all they are. Truth is, I got a bit burned out. However, every time that happens something will jolt me back to work. This time it was in my e-mail. Here’s the letter:

“Good morning!  
                          A beautiful day it is too!  The sun is shining, birds singing in the trees and flitting around the feeders and our box gardens are coming along beautifully!  
                           I thought I would pass along some news from our home front.  Since I began reading your books I've had a wonderful time.  Your stories have brought a lot of laughter, joy and even tears into my life.  I love stories like that.  Of them all my favorite is At Loose Ends.  For some reason that is the story that always brings a smile to my face.  I love the characters.  
                            It was through your stories that I came to look into Reiki.  I convinced my wife that that would be something she would find beneficial and fascinating.  I did a bit of research and found a local Reiki Master, Anita Brown of Inspirit Studios in Dover, Delaware.  Her first Reiki session was so amazing!  The look on her face, the difference in her carriage was just awesome.  She's had several more sessions and has even taken Reiki Level 1 class.  She is really looking forward to this experience.  I have to thank you for inspiring this beginning.  This has become a very spiritual journey for her.  She has become energized and so much more upbeat.  It’s fantastic.
 
                            Thank you for all the joy and wonder you have brought into our lives.  
 
Skip & Irene Maslan"

(Letter reprinted with permission.)

Yes folks, this is the reason I keep doing what I do. This put me back in the chair and next time I hope to have something better to report.

Meanwhile, if you’ve enjoyed my writing please sign up for my newsletter. (Top of the page on the right!) 

It will only come out about once each month, but will have lots of goodies. Also, "A" List Readers (yes, that’s who you are) will always get advance notice and discounts on new books coming out.

So, that’s it for me today folks, drop  a comment to let me know how you’re doing; I do love to hear from you. ( I fixed the comments thingy)

Something New and Fun

       

Hey there, folks, it’s Spring time again, the grass is turning green and new growth is appearing everywhere. So, in that vein, I guess it is time for something new from the desk of Prudence MacLeod too.

To start with, I will be publishing a newsletter about once each month beginning later in May. The newsletter will contain updates and perhaps excerpts from current works in progress (currently a lesbian romance and the fourth book in the Nova Series), some previously unpublished works, interviews with characters from my books, and new short stories featuring some of you as main characters. When I have enough of these short stories I will publish a collection.

Want to know how to star in a Prudence MacLeod short story? Sign up for the newsletter and find out. The inaugural issue will contain the full *how to* and more.

How to sign up? Look for this picture at the right of this post, near the top of the page. 

Just click on the smiling face (the one at the right near the top) and it will take you to the sign up page. Oh come on, it will be fun, honest.

Now, having said all that, remember, you can ask me anything about anything. There will be more answers in coming blog posts soon.

So, drop me a line, let me know how you’re doing. I do love to hear from all of you.