July 23, 2008

Well, last night's event was pretty interesting. There were about 10of us at a local coffee shop. This was the second meeting, but everyone attending was a first-timer like myself. I was a little late so I missed some of the the Intros. It seems I was the only published author attending, which is not a big deal.

Listening to the attendees, most of whom are still looking to be published was very interesting. I sometimes forget that I was just where they are at one point. I have been truly blessed in my writing career with supportive people, great publishers (well, most were), and some plain 'ole dumb luck! I offered to share what I know from my last 10 years with anyone who wanted to listen. I wish I had a group like this when I started.

It was nice to chat about writing with a bunch of people who don't know a whole lot about the west. It seemed strange to me sitting around a coffee shop in NC talking about the old west. Bob, the man in charge of the meeting knows a lot about trains and likes Tombstone. He saw that Bob Boze Bell wrote the forward for Tombstone's Treasure and said he knew who he was. See Bob - even in the south your rep is known! LOL

I will go back for next month's meeting...

I skipped the gym today because I have so many things to do before the beach week. Also, the DirecTV man is coming today. It's was on those appointments...we'll be there between noon and four. Just great. They have been trying to get me perfect reception for over eight months now and I am so tired it. First it was my equipment, then it was my trees, now it's my equipment again. If this doesn't get fixed I am switching to Disk Network, which I can get free for one year with my phone service.

Back to work...

July 22, 2008

My dinner with Sharon was fun as usual. I brought her up to date on all my author things, including the radio interview.

I took the kickboxing class, but I did have to curtail some of the punching because my shoulders started to hurt.

I am cleaning off my desk because I just can't stand the clutter. I also had to get to some things that have deadlines.

I owe Univ of New Mexico a yeah or nay for a peer review. I promised another author I would give her a quote for her book jacket and I still have research to do on two of my own projects. Whew.

When I get back from the beach, I am going to take at least one hour per day and dedicate it to research or I will never get anywhere.

Tonight is the Apex Author's Guild meeting--I am curious to see how it goes. Generally, being a western author in NC is tough. Unless you write about the Civil War, slavery, or southern iced tea, no one cares.

I am going with a positive attitude... :)

July 21, 2008

This weekend was spent shopping for the beach week. Sunday was spent planting some flowers and other assorted yard things.

My Southwest Blend interview went very well. If you missed it, you can still catch it using the link in my last blog.

I am meeting my friend Sharon for dinner tonight, which is always fun.

I took a new class at the gym today. What a workout! I say that a lot, huh? Anywho, it was. We did intervals on the elliptical and then worked various body parts. I still have to take it easy when it comes to upper body stuff. My neck and shoulders are still weak and sensitive.

Tomorrow I will attempt Kick Boxing, but maybe not throw any punches.

July 18, 2008

So yesterday I found out that my friends, Bob and Meghan at True West magazine, want to include my blog for the TW world to see with my new column. Oh boy! Knowing that, I better shape up...

I went to Zumba class at the gym today again - I still love it. Lots of great salsa music - we did the Cha Cha Cha, Cumbia, and the mambo, plus a ton of other sexy Latin moves. We shook our hips and our upper body. Muy diversión (much fun). The lyrics to one of the songs is "arriba, abajo, arriba abajo." Imagine that with fast latin music playing...I can't get it out of my head. Arriba, abajo, ah caramba. The words mean up and down.

This Sunday I have another online radio interview with Southwest Blend. This will be about my Tombstone's Treasure book.

Like last time, I will be on beginning at 2:25 ET. Here's the link to the show: http://www.southwestblend.com/Champagne_Sundays/mix7-20-08.htm

Make sure you don't click the link until after 2:00 ET or you won't get the show.

Y'all have a great weekend!

July 17, 2008

Yesterday was a great day at my regular job. You know, that one that actually pays the bills? I even get to be creative and write.

We are getting ready to launch our first company newsletter for our clients and I am in charge of it. It's been a ton of fun finding content for it. Yesterday I spent a good deal of time looking for funny, yet appropriate jokes that I could include.

Here's what I used: How do crazy people go through the forest? They take the psycho path. Okay, you at least chuckled, right?

Today is just as fun since I am scouring YouTube for some funny videos.

On my author front--I have made zero progress lately. I have so many little things, like website updates, WWA board prep, WWW board stuff, virtual updates, radio interview prep, and so much more. I need to make a list and get my a$$ in gear. Good Lord, it's already July 2008!

I did find an interesting notice in the paper--it's for a local writers guild calling for local authors. They have a meeting next week, which I will attend.

Tomorrow: Info about my Sunday radio interview and my new column in True West magazine. Bloggers beware...

July 15, 2008

I went back to the doctor today since my neck pain seems to be getting worse than better. He seems to think it's just swelling, but wants me to start physical therapy (PT). He then wants to see me in six weeks to see my progress. However, if I see certain signs, then I need to contact him right away.

Okay, back on my podium...it's bad enough that someone has turned my life upside down because of carelessness, right? But noooo, the girl who hit me, let's call her R, insurance company called today.

First she asked how I was. After I told her I had just been to the doctor's office and what was happening, she started with an accusatory tone. "Well, I guess you had a pre-existing condition, because you should be healed by now." How the heck does she know when I should be healed? Is she a closet-practicing doctor?

"I'll need all your past records, why did you get acupuncture in the past, etc.," WHAT? "My client's car didn't have any damage, so why are you still hurting?" Uh well, don't you remember, my freakin' car was totaled! How did that happen? Geez.

Her tone was totally uncalled for and I am tempted to hire an attorney just so I don't have to deal with her anymore.

I'll step down...

July 14, 2008

The weekend was nice. We took my new car shopping on Saturday and Sunday we cleaned out the garage (well, most of it). There is still much to be done, but it's looking better.

After the garage we need to tackle the attic, but that's a fall job. It's about 130 degrees up there right now.

I got this really cool notice in my email today from True West magazine's executive editor, Bob Boze Bell:

"We are planning some groovy surprises for this fall.

My good friend Sherry Monahan is going to start doing a column on food and entertainment in the Old West. Sherry's book "Taste of Tombstone" is an excellent source for what the cowboys and gamblers of Arizona actually ate in the cafes and restaurants of frontier Arizona.

As readers of True West magazine already know, Tombstone was quite cosmopolitan. For grins, here are some examples of menu items from 1882 at the Maison Doree:

.. Chicken Liver Crochettes, ala Parisienne
.. Veal Cutlettes, plain and breaded
.. Antelope, a la Governor
.. Oyster Patties
.. Salmon Croquettes in Cream Sauce (also Colorado River Salmon in Lobster Sauce)
.. Spring Lamb
.. English Plum Pudding, Hard Brandy Sauce
.. Cream Pie

And no, there is no mention of cowboy beans at any of the numerous restaurants in the fancy silver mining town. "

I knew I was getting a column but it was so cool to see this!

This photo is of me and Bob at the Western Writers of America booksigning last month in Scottsdale.

July 11, 2008

It's Friday, although it was a short week for me. :)

I went to the gym today! I took a Zumba class, which is a cardio workout done to Latin music. It was totally awesome, and I can't wait for next Friday.

I had an acupuncture appointment today to help with my neck and shoulders. They are thinking I might have a pinched nerve. Ouch.

This weekend will be time to clean out the garage - there is too much junk. Goodwill here we come...

July 10, 2008

I got my new (used) car last night. It's so "luxurious" according my niece.

We had wicked storms last night, so the car got wet on the way home.

I have been struggling with some intense neck pain today. It feels like something is pinching and it hurts like crazy. My doc said some days would be worse than others until I am completely healed.

It's amazing how one event can cause a cascade of others...

July 9, 2008

I know it's been a while since my last post, but things got a little crazy with accident issues, the holiday, and vacation.

I am still working with the insurance companies to get my old car and medical bills paid off. I am getting a new (used) car tonight, finally. I will have my own wheels again. It's another Jag...

Nothing new on the writing front just yet - I am still plugging along on various projects.

Our niece, Jamie, came into town last week for her annual vacation. We saw fireworks for the holiday and then headed to Cherokee, NC to camp for a few days.

The camping was fun, but it rained off and on the entire time, which is not ideal for one sleeping on the ground in a tent. The dampness did not help the pain in my neck and shoulders from the accident.

I cooked steak, BBQ chicken, and big fat juicy burgers for dinners. Hot coffee, eggs, French toast (pictured) and sausage for breakfasts.

We learned a great deal about the Cherokee Indians during our visit. We also went tubing down a river, where it rained on us.

By Tuesday morning, we had had enough, and were ready for comfy beds and "hotel" sheets. We got home and had movie night - two nights in a row. We saw Cool Runnings, Stripes, Waking Ned Devine, and Trading Places. We also watched the finale of Hell's Kitchen. I picked the winner about four weeks ago.

Tomorrow I will attempt the gym for the first time since my accident. I hope I can handle it. It's really bugging me to not be working out.