Way Up North

It has been a long while since I've posted anything on my blog, so I decided, today's the day I change that.

I relocated to the Pacific Northwest almost a year ago and have acclimated to it fairly well.
The cooler climate suits me better than the extremes of the Southwest, (Texas).

The locals have embraced me in a hospitable way and my "dancing feet" have tapped out quite a few steps since I moved here.

Before I practiced the art of adventuring into semi-new territory, I almost donated my faux fur collared parka, but I have to say a resounding, "Whew!" I'm very grateful I didn't donate that much-valued piece of clothing now!

My adventures since I moved here have been numerous. Suffice it to say, getting to know one of my sweet granddaughters has been delightful. She has the privilege of my babysitting skills every week, and we do many fun activities. If you have grandchildren, you know what I'm referring to and you treasure the time spent nurturing these little ones.

My Texas family is on my mind frequently and there has been another grandchild added to the mix -- a little boy! These GRANDS cheer me no end and I smile at the very thought of them.

Writing...well, it's been a slow process. I guess you could say that there have been many distractions; flora, fauna, trees, mountains, the Oregon coast, and dancing...did I mention dancing?

I've taken up Irish Ceili dancing, and I have also been frequenting a local "cider" establishment, with a sassy group of salsa dancers. It's been such fun.

Obviously, this has been a favorable move and I do miss my Texas friends and family.

As the holidays draw near, I hope you will remember to set aside time for the things that make you smile, things that warm your heart, those great memories that you have locked away in the most treasured parts of your very soul.

Reading? Why, yes! I've been reading a variety of books.

Curio by Evangeline Denmark, for one. Extremely different storyline, Fascinating, thought-provoking. Evangeline has created an entire new world -- Magic, conflict, love, and science are all entwined in this intriguing story. I hope she does a sequel.

Please consider one or both of my stories this holiday season.

gammonsp@yahoo.com is a good start if you wish to receive a signed copy. A bundle of both books is $20.00 plus $2.00 shipping. Separately, $12.00 plus $2.00 shipping. They are also available on Kindle and amazon.com and I hope you will take the opportunity to go online and preview them.

"Hazards on the Hardwood," and "Hazards on the High Road," are easy reads and have some pretty crazy characters in plot twists and comedy thrown into the mix.

Thanks for taking the time to read this note.

Word World Revisited!

Chug, Chug, Chug!

I'm at the end of one journey and about to begin another.  It started with the pushing and tugging of a dear friend, Leah Michelle Banicki.  She suggested (coerced) me into joining NaNoWriMo in November of 2012.  I reluctantly gave in, as I usually do when it's beneficial to my course of action.  I created my sign-in name and then started my writing engine and poof, I was off like a shot!

The goal of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is to accumulate at least 50,000 words in the  month of November, with the intention of it mysteriously and magically turning into the "next great novel."

I remember sitting there, staring at the blank screen, with a heaping case of writer's block, when all of a sudden it hit me like a box full of dancing shoes!

"Write what you know." That has been the mantra of authors from time memorial.  "Okay, I said to myself, what is it that I know?"

"DANCING!"

"Oh that!"

Well, as they (whoeverTHEY are) say...the rest is history.

My fingers zipped across that keyboard faster than Clark Kent morphing into his alter-ego, Superman!  My mind went into overdrive and before I knew it, the story was born!

God had laid down the gauntlet, "Patty you have a passion for dance and a gift of writing...USE THEM BOTH!"  His message was loud and clear!

As I sit here today, enjoying the fact that my first novel is on its way to being self-published. (I never had an agent or publisher available for my project).

There are no words to tell you how much of an accomplishment this is.

It's been an uphill project with twists and turns, joys and discouragements innumerable.

The bottom line:  "I thought I could, I thought I could!"  God said, "Yes you can!  Yes you can!"

Hold fast to your ideas and your dreams...pray about it, work it out in your head...put your pen to the paper and your hands to the keyboard and it will appear!

"Hazards on the Hardwood" is finished...just a few touch ups and it will be available on amazon.com and Kindle.  I also plan to distribute to my friends and family personally.

God is mighty and He is faithful!