Random Is The Only Way Today

It feels like a long time since I’ve sat my butt down in this seat, in my study, to write a post about random things. You might think otherwise. You might think all of my posts are random. You may have a point.

I just returned from a very long walk with an old friend. I wouldn’t say she’s a close friend, just a friend friend. You know what I mean. I’ve known her a long time, seventeen years. We know a lot of the same people and raised our children in the same community/schools and in a similar fashion. It was delightful and the fresh air felt fantastic. I actually put it off for a month and I’m not sure why.

What I realized immediately after I walked inside my house was I really wish I’d make/take time to do this more often.  Not just communicate over the phone, through texts or on Facebook but see friends in the flesh. Look at them. 

I see my really, really close friends (in the flesh, not naked!) extremely often. I’m not talking about them but other people I care about that I connect with much less frequently. If not now, then when? This is something that's been going through my brain a lot lately.

Speaking of texting. I just had a conversation with one of my closest friends via text. She asked me why things were a certain way with a couple we both know. I realize I'm only giving you a snapshot but maybe you'll get the gist. The conversation went like this:

I don’t want to boss my man around. I don’t want him to let me either. It doesn’t help me feel good or better about myself. It would actually make me feel crummy. 

It was funny that we both thought for a day it might be...well, you know. But we value other things on our Christmas list rather than being "the boss" of everything. I might need to give that more thought!

Speaking of Christmas lists and for those of you with young kids, appreciate the fact that you get Santa lists or crayon circled items in the Toys R Us or Walmart flyers. It’s not easy shopping for "big" children with no lists or ideas. I never did get that crystal ball I asked for all those years ago, which would help me in situations precisely like this. It takes a whole lot more energy.

T-minus 11 days until this body must insert itself into a swimsuit. Is there nothing more frightening in the wintertime? Yes, there is! Trying on swimsuits under fluorescent lights is worse.

While I’m extremely happy to be getting out of here, I’m intensely short on time for holiday preparations and that swimsuit thing hangs over me (YES! I can be a bit vain sometimes). Maybe it would help if I got off the computer.

Off to decorate.

Thanks Stacy, Shawn and Impulsive Addict for indulging our randomness another week. 

Lame Butt Randomness

I will start by apologizing for a lame butt day of blogging.

I’m wiped out from watching six 21 year olds having a fantastic time for 2.5 days. Okay. Possibly I did some participating because they wanted me to and I’m paying today.

NaBloPoMo has left me with a bit of stage fright, errrr, lack of ideas.

I'm sort of freaked out by the TrifeXXXta (did you catch those triple X's?) prompt this week ;-).

I'm full of excuses.

I hung the sign on the door. NO VACANCY. This B&B is officially closed for 24 hours while sheets and towels can be washed, house cleaned, errands run (unless they can perform themselves), food prepared and table set so another round of guests can arrive tomorrow about 1:00pm.

I don’t feel sorry for myself but I don’t feel like doing anything either.

And I must have a lot on my mind because I’ve been up since 5:00am. Sucks for me!

Maybe I will step away from the computer and read. I have to wait to change the laundry anyway. What am I reading? I decided to put all my other books down and read Spring Into Summer  by Eden Baylee. Just google it! You’ll quickly discover how I will be spending my afternoon.

Did you see the American Music Awards? I did not (see above mention of guests and birthday dinner).  Well my girl, Pink was all the rage. Check out her LIVE version of “Try” as performed at the AMAs.

(not the best version I've seen. Check out her Facebook page for a better one)

And you know those tickets I’ve bragged about having for her concert on March 9^th that I bought the minute they came up for sale? I purchased 4 tickets for $250 each. They are currently valued (for sale on E-Bay, Ticket Liquidator, and Coast-to-Coast) at $535. I will hang onto them until February then sell them to finance ever kickass-ier seats!

Also, Kid Rock’s new album became available for download yesterday. You bet my iPod is rockin’ new tunes as I write.

Thanks to Stacy Uncorked, Seriously Shawn and Impulsive Addict for putting up with my random lameness today. I need toothpicks for my eyes!

College and Dogs, Endorphins, How French Women Stay Thin, Sleeping Naked

Only time for a very short burst of randomness today!

I really should be in the car, right at this very moment, driving down to Indiana University to see my kids. It’s not a long drive (3.75 hours) but I’m dragging my heels here. It’s a really big week! Addison, 80 lbs. of chocolate Lab-ness, is visiting campus for 3 days AND staying with Matt at his fraternity. They’ve nicknamed her “Frat-ison”. Their plan is to walk her up and down past all the sororities. They say a dog is a chick magnet. Hopefully, things will go down as planned!

Actually, I’m still catching up from a surprise visit from three college boys (and 5 loads of laundry (just my son’s)). They were fantastic. And I’ve been so incredibly pleased with each and every friend my son has introduced us to from his fraternity. We had five stay with us at the lake this summer for a long weekend and now these two this weekend. They’re all polite, helpful, engaging (look you in the eye and converse type of engaging), smart and they made their beds. What good boys! And they didn’t wake up momma at night with any loud or noisy behavior.

Probably my favorite type of workout is spinning. I love it. Talk about an endorphin rush! And the sweat pouring off…there’s nothing like it. Of course, the thought of burning 600 calories in an hour is addicting, too.

So watch this very short YouTube video (only 45 seconds) of how French women stay thin. 

 

 I knew there was more to it than just walking to the market everyday.

I love when I hear a favorite song on the radio that I’d forgotten about. And since I have Shazam, it’s easy for me to download it. So here is that song I forgot I loved so many years ago. I need more Bob Seger in my life. Plus I missed Music Moves Me Monday. So here's one from me...

Every morning when I go around the corner for coffee, I hear the question of the day by a local radio show. Most often I catch just the question and I’m not around to hear the answer. Today I tuned in just as Eric said, “Correct answer!”

So the question was, “At night, what do men do 3 times more than women?” I didn’t have the opportunity to hear the other guess and I’m not sure this would have been my guess but the answer is…….

*
*
*
*
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Sleep naked!

Would you have gotten that? I hung on for the brief conversation after the correct answer. Who feels more awkward in bed when one is wearing jammies and the other is naked? And the overwhelming response was the clothing clad person feels awkward that the other person is naked. Hmmmm…..

Happy Tuesday~

Thanks Stacy Uncorked, Shawn and Impulsive Addict for another Tuesday!

Rockin' Concerts, New Singles, Bob Marley And The Kitchen Sink

I have two very important bits of news this week!!! Important to me, at least. Well three, actually!

October is my favorite month of the year! And it’s here!

I love to rake and crunch in the leaves. The crisp coolness of the air inspires and motivates me. I love sitting on the front porch when it’s warm and by the wood-filled fireplace in the back when the evening is chilly. I love jeans, sweatpants and chili! I get to see my kids a lot. It’s my birth month. What more can you ask for?

Even better…I have my PINK tickets. March 9^th. The United Center. WOO HOO!!!!!

She went and had a baby which delayed her album making and tour but we’ll cut her some slack as we all know how life gets in the way of things we want to do. I don’t have the tickets in hand yet but I should by tomorrow. My M.O. when getting concert tickets is I buy some decent ones immediately so I know I’m going for sure then I start trading up so long as the price goes up. So in February, I’ll start working my magic until I end up on the main floor around 10 rows back. Don’t want to be much closer or you really can’t see well. She is incredible!!!

My guy, Kid Rock, released his new single Let's Ride yesterday (this YouTube clip is from a radio interview and debut of the song). Been waiting for him, too. If there’s one thing that would really get me going, it would be the two of them in concert….TOGETHER. And I think they’d be really great with each other. Both are talented, sexy and smart!

Anyway, his album will be released on my daughter’s birthday, November 19th. What a great gift for me! AND you know what a new album always means…….A tour is coming our way. I know the way these things time out and we should expect Kid to come swinging through Chi-town in the early summer or possible late spring. He puts on a kick ass show and it will be my fourth time spending the night with him, if you know what I mean!!!

I was in a very warm, muggy climate last week and one of the best things about being in Sea Island, Georgia, was biking absolutely everywhere. We rented these awesome beach cruisers with baskets. What can’t be done with a bike and basket? While we has a rented car for airport transport from Jacksonville, it was never used. My goal for October…bike everywhere. To the farmer’s market, CVS, grocery store, library, friends’ homes, you get the picture. I love bike riding and have no idea why I haven’t done this sooner!

A rather big annoyance while dining al fresco at a shrimp shack on St. Simons Island was this woman.

Notice anything hanging out of her mouth? A heater!!!! She plopped herself right down on a bench by our table and lit up. Also, she had a little yapping dog with her. The dog didn’t bother me much. I love dogs. The smoke did.

Oh and this tasty morsel is what remained of my fried Oreo. It didn't stay that way for long. It was incredibly delicious! A truly gooey delight!

Just found last week. A new beverage. And I was quite surprised to find it in the organic aisle. I know Bob Marley was all about organic produce, if you know what I mean, but I didn’t think this energy/coffee drink qualified. It’s called “Marley’s One Drop” and it’s gooooooood!  The tag line on it if you can’t see is “Wake Up & Live”. Will do, Bob! Made with real Jamaican coffee, by the way.

Happy Tuesday! And a big thank you to Stacy Uncorked and Seriously Shawn for allowing random writing and talk to be the norm on a Tuesday.

I'm Lovin' It with Pink, Da-Da-Da-DA-Da, And A World Class Chef!

I woke up this morning so very excited. Today, for me, is a BIG day.

I set my DVR for the Today Show’s 9:00 hour. I don’t have the TV on during the day…Ever…and I did not want to miss this.

I probably don’t need one more thing in my life to be obsessed with but anything Pink (not the color) is grandfathered in, in my opinion.

                   (I want those shoes and leggings!)

Why couldn’t I be in NYC today instead of three and a half weeks from now so I could be in Rockefeller Center watching my favorite gal sing two of her new songs? She is such a stud! She sung in the cold rain without skipping a beat or making a fuss. Gotta love those low maintenance girls! She was more than fantastic but I’m extremely partial!

Today was the release of Pink’s new CD called “The Truth About Love”. I downloaded it from iTunes not too early, waited until a respectable 7am, and have listened to the whole thing. Forewarning, it has “swears” in many of the songs so if that bothers you, you can listen to the “clean” versions on YouTube no doubt.

So I’m thinking a new album means A TOUR in the near future. Because dog gone it!!! she went and had a baby with that skateboarding husband of hers that she’s just nuts about which put off a show for her fans by two years!

Her concert was at the tippy top of my list of most entertaining concerts to which I have ever had the good fortune to attend! It was outstanding. She did this trapeze-y thing with long drapery type material. At the end of the song, the material lowered her into a "below stage level tank" of water, brought her up and spun her around. Extremely mesmerizing and beautifully lit!

Finished gushing!!!

I’m not a bad wife but I’ve not been as good as I was last year…in the cooking department. Last year was our first as empty nesters and I chef-ed (not a word, I know) it up pretty darn good. We ate healthy and fresh and extremely well. An added and unexpected bonus, we both lost 5 lbs. Not bad.

Well, that was then and this is now. Cooking has become lackluster to me lately. Something about fall does that to me. Okay, I’m blaming a season. I just don’t feel like it.

But my favorite season means I can start making grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. Not to boast, but I’m a world famous maker of a stellar grilled cheese. Just ask my “not at all picky or fussy” husband. Fixing a great grilled cheese is almost an art. It must be really crispy on the outside using real butter and gooey on the inside. Two great sensations!

The night before I dialed for Chinese. I’m being lazy but at least he has some leftovers while I’m out of town…at least for one night. He will just break out the chips and salsa anyway which is his go-to dinner when I’m not home (or Chipotle).

(Just kidding, Honey!)

Gotta get in the car and drive. To me, road trips mean DA-Da-Da-DA-Da, I’m lovin’ it! A #3 Meal, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, fries and a chocolate shake. Given the choice, I prefer a Whopper but there aren’t as many BK’s around. I know why that is but “WHY is that?”

I almost did last weekend’s 33-word Trifecta challenge about road trips and McDonalds.

Thanks to Stacy Uncorked and Impulsive Addict for always allowing such randomness to talk to them on Tuesday!

Let's Be Friends, RV Travel, Name That Tune, Hands Out Of My Pocket!

Can’t believe it’s Tuesday. Again. And so quickly that happened.

The thing I like about Tuesdays is the opportunity to participate in Stacy’s Random Tuesday Thoughts and it provides just enough of an excuse for all this blah, blah, blah!

I’m not on Face Book much but I got a friend request (who knows when?) from a guy that messaged me first saying, “Hey, Gina. We went to college together. Do you remember me? Let’s be friends.” I looked at his picture. Didn’t ring any bells or jog any memories although his name is kind of familiar. He knows someone I know (mutual yet distant friend) but that’s just not enough on my end. Do you ignore the request? Obviously they know you are ignoring them when you don’t accept. But do I care that he knows? No, because I don’t know him. I knew I’d eventually answer my own question.

I love to drive and I could do it, by myself, for hours. And as I was driving home this morning from Indiana I had the opportunity to think about and do a few things.

(1)         I’d love to buy an RV (think “Lost In America”). One like the rock stars have but it doesn't have to be that pimped out. It can be basic but along these lines. I saw tons of them today. Ahhhhh! The freedom to travel. I have several specific uses in mind for MY  RV. I would take it to concerts all over the country. I’d see every band or artist that I ever wanted to see and I would enjoy both mapping out my trip and spontaneously seeing anyone of interest while also taking in our National Parks. This sounds perfect for me.

(2)         I like to drive by myself because my "in vehicle" music habits would drive the most insane person completely wacky. I don’t use an iPod or listen to CDs. I cruise the stations. NON-STOP!!! My finger is fixed to the station changer or tuner and I just roll with it. Sometimes I even play “Name That Tune” with myself and only leave a song on for a few notes, guess, then go back to the station to see if I was correct. Yes, I’m annoying but I am by myself so I can do what I want. Additionally, I have no problem singing at the top of my lungs and don’t care if people see me belting it out. I heard a lot of great songs this morning.

(3)         Part of any drive, I like to reserve for pure thinking time. I let my mind wander off without so much as a thought to reining it in. Stories formulate that way.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading The Hunger Games and Catching Fire but me thinks I will take a break before reading Mockingjay. This must be influenced by hearing that it wasn’t as good as the other two, not sure, but my wandering and curious mind is already off in a new direction (Mockingjay will have to wait).

I’m starting a book called What The Psychic Told The Pilgrim by Jane Christmas. Have you heard of it? I hadn’t but it was given to me by my neighbor, the one with whom I went off to Spain, and it’s a must read for me. We will be walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago de Compostela for 30 days beginning towards the end of May with the culmination being June 27^th. If you’ve ever walked La Camino, please feel free to give advice or pointers. We will need them.

It lasted 13 days. I’m actually surprised it took them that long to ask about money. The kids, I mean. I usually get “hit up” sooner and more frequently. However, I did offer to pay for any date nights they had with each other…just the two of them since they attend the same school and live a mere four doors down from each other. You see…they don’t get along. AT ALL! One says “black” and the other simultaneously says “white”. ALWAYS! I want them to bond, to like each other and if it’s over sushi (their only shared love), then I’m willing to pay for it. I owe someone $30.

They sent a picture from that night, after dinner, and those smiles look real. I don't have many like that...one is always faking it! Plus it's confirmation they are ALIVE!

I need to get to the stairs. Remember "Storm The Stadium"? That stupid thing I said I'd do (6000 stairs in Soldier Field); the stupid goal I set for September 22nd. Thinking about them right now makes me want to puke.

Oh, and lastly, I would like to look like Jillian Michaels on the cover of September's Shape Magazine. 

I only have 6 inches, 20 lbs. and 12 years on her but...maybe? She looks great. Healthy. Strong. Fit. Just the right look to me!!!

Thanks again, Stacy, for hosting!!!

Toes, Cement, A Car Wreak, Extreme Fitness, Brain Cramps And MORE!!!

Have you ever wanted to stick your toes or a hand or write something with a stick in freshly laid cement? It definitely brings out the child in me.

This is my village this morning. 

Who the heck thinks we need to keep beautifying this one block town? Look at it! That’s all there is. But it’s in a constant state of rearranging on our taxpayer dollars.

I bring this up because you can see my coffee shop in the forefront. This morning, right outside, the cement mason was putting his final touches on a decorative circle before my eyes. The ONLY thing I could think of was taking off my flip-flops and digging my toes in. Leaving my mark. Childish, right?

My sensibility kicked in. I thought about the bill we’d receive from the village and the ‘splaining I’d have to do…

Speaking of ‘splaining…

It came to my attention this weekend (from my daughter), and as clever as I thought I’d been, my husband knows about a fender bender I may or may not have gotten in with her car recently. I immediately took it to “my guy” for a cheap repair (doesn’t everyone have a guy on hand for such things?) and had it fixed fairly well for 50 bucks. The alternative was a much more costly replaced wheel well and quarter panel. Plus it wasn’t on the driver’s side which is the side mostly seen from our driveway. I thought I made a good decision here. Funny, my husband has never mentioned a thing to me even though he has seen it, inspected it (no doubt), mentioned it to my daughter and knows who the culprit was. And he knows I know he's seen it. Patient man.

It’s been one week to the day since my little monsters left for school. Need I say more? AHHHHHHHHHHH…..

People who have been following me for the last 4-5 months know I get a bit wigged out over exercise. I always need to have a fitness goal or challenge dangling in front of me. If you live in the Chicago area, are going to be in the area OR want to be in the area and you like fitness challenges (Hey! Think along the lines of the writing challenges for which we are all so fond!), sign up for STORM THE STADIUM on September 22nd and do it with my friends and me!!! Check out the website. It should be a blast and I will be talking about it as it gets closer...A LOT! And it’s not about how fast you can do those 6000 stairs; it’s about just doing it. And who can resist a Survivor hunk or hunkette?

I love participating in Trifecta and Yeah Write writing challenges. However, I’m suffering from an extreme lack of ideas. Anyone out there have any suggestions for a writer’s brain cramp? Jack, I know you’ll say there is no such thing and to just keep writing and it takes practice and…

And I need sleep aids because I’m not doing it. Sleeping much. And I'm staying up way too late. And I’m thinking instead of sleeping. Counted back from 100 about 100 times last night and thought about Trifecta topic way too much. Sleep is overrated but I need just a little, pretty please!

I’ve been told the third book of The Hunger Games series isn’t as good as the first two. True? I should finish the series, don’t you think?

I always like to thank Stacy on Tuesdays for letting have a place to just be….Random!

And Seriously Shawn and Impulsive Addict for indulging our impulses to write whatever comes to mind.

And this is a train I’ve never been on before, Tuesday Train. I’m a nubee so I’m looking forward to an adventure.

Kids Need To Go Back To School: Random Tuesday

It’s Random Tuesday. I love Tuesdays for this very reason. I don't have to think too much and that's all good with me.

Right now, it’s early. The sun came up directly in the window with a clear path to my eyes. Looking down, I saw the computer exactly where I left it last night and began typing. Usually, someone would burst through my door after midnight, with his or her iPhone lit up, looking for it, waking me in the process.

I’m getting tired of getting woken up during the night. By someone doing something. Remember, I don’t have toddlers. No one should be waking up mom. And another thing! I’m tired of the shenanigans and the bickering. Again, I don’t have toddlers. I have young adults (who happen to never get along). Nothing heats me up faster, and not in a good way, then bickering kids!

It’s run its course, our summer together, in everyone’s eyes right about now.  By this time tomorrow, my house will be blissfully quiet but I'll have tears in my eyes, for sure. One leaves today and the other tomorrow. I absolutely love seeing their excitement for what this year holds. I LOVED college. I’d be excited to go back, too! Good luck with that "Introduction To Asian Religions" buddy. I'd enjoy it but I never pictured it to be in your wheel house!

Why is it when you are taking a shower, in one with a glass door, your husband finds about 5 reasons to keep coming in, asking questions, nose pressed to the door (or feels like it)? Then as soon as the glass fogs up, he gets on with his own business. Interesting.

I took a walk yesterday for the first time in 6 weeks. It felt great being in the sun and a cool 76 degrees. But I was huffing and puffing after the first half mile. After 1.5 miles, I threw in the soaking wet towel (ripped off the sweaty neck brace) and flopped down on the couch. I’ll go again today and a smidgeon farther.

What I realized during yesterday’s walk is I miss something very badly…my iPod. My music! For 30 minutes, I played most everything I wanted to hear! Just lovely!

Today will be another gorgeous day. I can tell from my window. But I think I’m going to close my eyes one more time and see what happens.

If This Isn't Random Enough, I'm Not Sure What To Say!

I can’t imagine that anything I write from this point further will be more random than the randomness that this post will turn out to be. Thanks, Stacy, for letting random be the norm and not just be considered bad writing. And Shawn for allowing us to get it all out at Talk To You Tuesdays.

To say that I am currently frustrated, which I mentioned yesterday, is an understatement. It’s been three weeks and I still really can’t go anywhere by myself, or do anything (nothing I want to do except read and write). When you contemplate all the things you “can’t” do that you “want” to do, you then want to do them all the more and that’s just plain frustrating. I’m not being ungrateful because I am grateful. I’m just being feeling sorry for myself and that’s not good and not like me. Snap the “H-E-double hockey sticks” out of it.

I am also extremely over caffeinated at the moment. Two large javas will do that to a girl and my fingers are flying. My mouth would be flying, too, if I had someone to talk with. My girlfriend stopped by (the one who brought the second large vessel of coffee) and I just about got on my knees, pulled at her clothing and begged her to stay with me. However, she brought  “devil dog” along and after tearing through my house with Addy for an hour both soaking wet, I’d had enough. Now I’m lonely again :-(

Why can’t I just push an “on” button for anything in this house and have that thing simply work? Turn on. I’m not techie by any stretch of the imagine but I have a definite knack for figuring things out  and I won't let this computer, Linksys, Mediacom modem SH$T get the better of me. But I also don’t feel like wasting hours on the phone jumping through hoops to get everything to work. So I picked up the phone and asked someone to help, to do it for me. Does all this technology, wireless stuff annoy anyone but me?

Thank God for ponytails. It’s the only thing I can physically do to my hair right now and I’m finding the style very freeing. Before 3 weeks ago, I can’t remember the last time I actually put my hair in one.

Do MRIs make anyone squeamish? Claustrophobic? I have another one this afternoon for a torn rotator cuff (this stupid accident really messed me up!). YUCK! I’m not either of those two things but there is something terribly creepy about being shoved in a tube, panic button in hand and no quick way out. I often wonder if anyone is really manning the booth they hide behind in the other room and if I did push the button or scream, would anyone be there to hear me? Today…I just might test it out.

I need to buy new eyelashes for the weekend. Never know when you might need them.

It’s not easy being off of pain meds. I’m not sure that needs any more explanation. Hopefully the nauseating pain in my shoulder and the results of the MRI will yield a new supply. I’m not addicted, I swear!

What’s good on the tube right now? I need things to watch, to occupy some time.

I’m so excited to be writing a ton. But I’m not reading very much. Rats! I need to really dive into The Hunger Games. I know I’ll get hooked and it’s just what I need but I can’t seem to settle my mind into reading. Writing seems to be working better for me.

I’m bored with myself.

I can’t believe my kids go back to school in less than one month. I’m just short of devastated about this. I’m a “touchy feely” mom and they indulge me, usually. I will miss this horribly! I guess my attentions will have to be directed elsewhere (begrudgedly?). Lucky man!

I swear it’s like my neck is in its own 24 hour a day personal hot sauna and it’s getting skinnier which is not a good thing I’m thinking. If my posture isn’t stellar in 6 more weeks of this, I’m going to be really P-O’d.

That must be random enough for Random Tuesdays, right?

This Is Random in It's Purist Form, TOTALLY!

There’s a lot going on here. I’m exhausted after our holiday weekend but I think the reason for this will be in another post entirely. I just have to be ready to write it. And I’m not ready today, at least not this morning. Maybe later.

I’m writing from my bed, all propped up with pillows, and the sun is coming up. Can you see it? There it is!

 (Not the best picture, but you get the idea, right?)

It rises directly into my window as it shines it’s morning beam down the length of the lake. And I love being woken by a stream of sunlight softly resting on my cheek. It's warmth rustling me out of slumber. 

This is probably my favorite time of day. The blissful time you float yourself awake. Ignoring it for as long as I can, acceptance begins to creep in but my eyes remain closed; closed for as long as I can without peeking. My brain starts to stir and I begin to think. Some of my best thoughts occur right at this very minute of the day; at the exact time my eyes struggle to open and I urge them to remain closed just a little while longer. And these thoughts, they run the gamut.

As you can tell, I milk this time of the day for all it’s worth. There’s no other like it, in my mind. I try to stay still for as long as my schedule (or everyone else’s) will allow.

This morning, the water is calm. And there’s a gentle breeze I can see moving the leaves in the massive ash tree in my yard (it's 15 feet around!). If I had to make a guess, I’d say it’s going to be another hot one. It has “the look”.

Not much on the agenda today, but there really hasn’t been lately with the exception of weekend visitors. I’m a little crabby because there’s no coffee yet and I could get up and make it but I don’t want to ruin this moment, quite yet. The words are flowing and I hate stopping them.

I can tell you that I’ve been writing all kinds of stuff lately. Just not stuff for here. And I should be or maybe not. I still need to, and want to, get to an award my friend, a.eye, over at “Shouldn’t Life Be More Than This?” gave me last week, The Liebster Blog Award. I will do that today (I really have had a good reason for not writing here lately, I promise.)

I was looking for book recommendations yesterday and happened to be with some of  my book fanatic college aged friends. It was a beautiful thing hearing three twenty-one year olds discuss books and the pros and cons of two series they had all read, The Hunger Games and A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones). They thoughtfully considered which series I, a book fanatic as well, would enjoy more and why. It is exactly the type of conversation I would love to have with anyone but to be having it with college kids, for some reason, felt really special to me. Okay, I’ve been sappy lately!!! I admit it.

They chose…..The Hunger Games for me. 

I was to begin last night but felt more like writing. So I wrote and I wrote and I wrote. Until close to 3:00am. So when the sun started throwing pebbles at my window early this morning because I had forgotten to draw the shade so I could sleep in a bit, it arrived a little sooner than I wanted. I started to write...very early.

Something you don’t know about me is that I spend some time writing romantic encounters. Of all kinds. And I really mean ALL kinds. Steamy ones are my favorite and a few of those kept me up last night. They just kept rolling off my mind and threw my finger tips.  To ignore them and not get them down in writing would be a waste or a shame, at the very least. They held me captive, I swear.

Okay, was that TMI? I hope not and if it was…so sorry! But I enjoy writing these, this way, and I do hope we all spend some time writing these kinds of stories. They’re fun! Fun for me.

Yes, you are free to call me weird if you want.

I suppose the coffee doesn’t make itself and I’m jonzin’.

I believe I will turn this random day into a purely writing day and when my fingers or my mind give up or need a break, I have The Hunger Games hungrily waiting in the wings for it’s pages to be caressed. Lay off the romance you say? NEVER!

Stacy's Random Thoughts

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