A Cup of Coffee and A Shoulder

October 12, 2012 by

I’ve talked a lot about the writing community on these pages. I value my friends in writing, my RWA chapter mates, and all the wonderful people I’ve met at conferences and across the internet, yet it always amazes me how much power there is in a small support group and a cup (or three) of coffee.

Sometimes we forget the power behind having someone to talk to. I think, especially when we are the ear doing the listening, we can forget just how helpful to be. It is only when climb our own protective walls and spill some of the fears and some of our pain do we realize how freeing it can be to say the words.

To express our fears.

To take away their power.

So this post, and the cup of coffee to the right, is for some of my best friends I have.

Filed Under: Books, Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , , ,

Treasuring My Guilty Pleasures

April 6, 2011 by

I’ve been focusing lately on time management and stress. Today, I want to change things up and share five of my guilty pleasures with you. These are things I do (and enjoy) that are selfish just for me.

In no particular order:

A Cup of Coffee with Friends

This “pleasure” is really two fold. 1) I love me some rich, bold coffee, especially when it’s sweetened with a touch of sweet Italian cream. 2) Spending time with good friends is the best way I know to let go of what ever is bogging me down. Even if I’m only able to leave my worries at the door of the coffee shop for an hour or so, it does wonders for my soul.

A Glass of Merlot

Where coffee can be my pick-me-up, a nice glass of a bitter-sweet Merlot does just the opposite. It washes away my cares and helps me relax. Add the next “guilty pleasure,” and I’m sure to get a good night’s sleep.

A Steamy Soak

Weather it’s in my hot tub or a steamy bubble bath, a 20 minute soak is the short track to pure happiness.

Retro Music

I really do listen to all kinds of music, but if I need a lift, the music I grew up on is sure to put a smile on my face. How can it not?

Reality TV

Of all the guilty pleasures on my list, this is the only one that made me cringe a little to type. Yes, I know Reality TVs reputation. Does it make it any better that I like the closer-to-reality-than-tv type. Dedliest Catch, Auction Hunters, Auction Kings, First 48… well, you get the idea.  No? Doesn’t matter. These are my guilty pleasures. All that really matters is they make me happy.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?

Filed Under: Life, Music, TV, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Grown Up Snow Day

February 2, 2011 by

Here in Northwest Ohio we’re on day two of a major snow event. Call it a snowpocalypse or a snowageden of any of the other media friendly terms local and national news have adopted, it all comes down to the same thing. We get to stay home!

Much of our area is under a level three snow emergency today, which means unless your “essential” (Doctor, nurse, police, fire) it’s illegal for you to be on the road. Many businesses are closed and all the the area schools (including most of the colleges) have closed their doors for the day.

I remember when I was a kid, we looked forward to these days so that we could bundle up in our snow gear and go outside. We’d build snowman, have snow ball fights, make snow angels and not come back inside until frostbite was a real concern. Then we’d drink hot chocolate, watch TV, and play video games (Just remember in my day that consisted of Atari and games like Pong, not WoW or HALO.)

And while that may be how my kids plan to spend the day (Not the playing in the snow, they’ve passed the age where that is fun.), I have my own set of plans for the day.

*A never ending-cup of coffee — check

*A fire in the fireplace — check

On all other fronts, it’s a catch up day. Catch up on laundry. Catch up on my editing. Catch up on my writing. And spend the afternoon and early evening catching up on movies I haven’t seen yet.  I might even catch up on some reading too.

Sounds like the perfect grown-up way to spend a snow day. (Well…at least all the details I can post here and keep this blog safe for all eyes.)

What is your favorite way to spend a snow day?

Filed Under: Life, Writing Life Tagged With: , , , ,