This Year's NaNoWriMo Entry -- Moonlight Over Maryland -- New Novel!!!

Dear Readers,

I am pleased to announce my latest novel that is in the works for November 1st....for the annual National Novel Writing Month...better known as NaNoWriMo for all the Nano'ers out there!!

https://www.nanowrimo.org/

My book is called MOONLIGHT OVER MARYLAND,and it's about a female jazz singer whose husband lost his battle to depression and ends his life. She finds love again, in the most remarkable way, and must battle her fears of abandonment, by letting her guard down and allowing herself to love again.

This is just a teaser. I'll share more details as November arrives, and I'm able to spill it.

I'm an avid NaNoWriMo participant. My first year, 2012, was exciting, and I penned WILDHEART, a novel set in Toronto about a divorced woman who meets a troubled musician trying to piece his life back together after a divorce of his own, and he's facing his father's impending death.

Since then, I've taken part in 8 consecutive years of NaNo. It's the most exciting part of a writer's life, aside from getting a book deal, of course.

I love NaNoWriMo for the fact that, despite all the distractions in a writer's life that keeps us from completing a 50,000 word novel (work, family, relationships, health issues, debt, disease, conflicts of all types or Universal complications that we cannot avoid)...well, face it, this chunk of time (30 days) is the only time of the year we can be ACCOUNTABLE for our writing progress. It's the perfect chance to get something FINISHED after all the delays and procrastinating some of us do throughout the year. Ugh. It's horrible!

So without further ado...my fellow NaNoWriMo participants....GOOD LUCK on your writing projects for November....and Happy Writing!!!

See you at the finish line on November 30th.

Love,

xx RR xx

100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Day #24 -- Give Thanks for Your Meal and The Company You're With

Dear Readers,

It's Day #24 of the 100 Day Gratitude Challenge. Obviously, I haven't posted EVERY SINGLE DAY of the challenge on this blog, because quite frankly, some of the posts were not as applicable to me, and I'm working a full time job and writing another novel. It's all about JUGGLING and making a good balance of things.

But I HAVE been doing the challenge everyday, personally, and taking note of each point.

Today's is "Give Thanks For Your Meal and the Company You're With." This one is easy.

Yesterday, I took part in the annual family Thanksgiving dinner. It's Mom, Dad, sister and brother and of course, my daughter.

Oh my God! The food!! Pumpkin pie, apple pie, and ice cream!!! Turkey -- massive!! Leftovers too! Vegetables of every kind!! Cranberry sauce, the works!!

Went home feeling stuffed. Had more turkey later that night. I might be "all turkey'd out."

Today, I am thankful for the food I enjoyed and the company was fun.

Now it's a holiday Monday and I'm resting, relaxing and working on the new novel.

Wherever you are, this Canadian Thanksgiving...I hope you  Give Thanks for Your Meal and Thank the Company You're With."

Life is to be cherished -- people are to be loved. Don't let a single day go by without showing and telling "your people" how much they are truly LOVED by you!!

Stay Passionate,

xx RR xx

100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Day #22 -- Make Three People Smile

Dear Readers,

It's Day Number 22 of the 100 Day Gratitude Challenge.

Today, your challenge is to "make three people smile."

This morning, I got a chance to make the FIRST one smile. My mother called me, asking what I wanted to eat at the annual Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey is a given, but she wanted to know what pie I wanted, and the vegetable selection.

As we discussed the vegetables she already had in tow...green beans, potatoes, peas and corn...I made her laugh hysterically over an old story of how my three year old brother stuck corn up his nose and had to be removed in a specialist's office. The image of the doc putting an instrument up his nose and the toddler screaming in horror was enough to make us both laugh. Aren't family memories grand?

Person #2 was my daughter. She laughs at me every day. She thinks I'm cheesy, sappy, clumsy, weird...but overall...and to quote her "Best Mom Ever."

Person #3 was a friend in Baltimore who received my sympathy card in the mail. He lost his son earlier this year, and the card was greatly appreciated.

Friends, if you can, get out there today and MAKE THREE PEOPLE SMILE!

Enjoy your Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and for my American friends... Have a wonderful Columbus Day!

Love,

xx RR xx

Day #16 -- The 100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Give Someone A List of Qualities You Like About Them

Dear Readers,

Today is Gratitude Day #16 of the 100 Day Gratitude Challenge.

I'm pleased to be writing about my daughter today. Today's theme is "Give Someone A List of Qualities You Like About Them."

I really can't say enough about this young woman who's grown from a sweet, quiet child into a smart, animator, computer whiz, artist and all-around lovable human being.

What can I say? I'll take credit for raising her as a single mom all these years (wink wink).

My Rachel is an Aries. I am Taurus. That means, from time to time, the "Ram" and the "Bull" might lock horns or butt heads. Come on, it's a given. Fire sign, Earth sign...but it happens rarely.

We're housemates, friends, confidantes, and basically, we just love each other fiercely.

I can't imagine my life without my Rachel Elizabeth. She arrived in April 1999 and my life has never been the same. She's taught me patience, long suffering, how to truly love another human, and many more necessary life lessons. She inspires me daily to never give up, to keep marching to my own drum and to be consistent on my path of self discovery

.

Here's my list of qualities that I love in her:

1) Blunt, honest. Always tells me the truth when I need to hear it.

2) Unconditional love. It's what I need. everyday. She accepts me for me, and I think only ONE other person on this planet loved me that way. May he rest in peace.

3) Independent thinker. She doesn't need anyone to tell her what to think or how to think. She knows what she wants and is clear about it.

4) Funny. Gut-busting funny. Sometimes I spray my beverage across the room when she pulls some comedy on me.

5) Steadfast. She might encounter obstacles, but she never gives up.

6) Compassionate. I've seen her give food or money to a friend at school who was down and out. She's also given money to the homeless. My heart melts when I hear of this.

7) Beautiful, so beautiful, with her clear skin, long hair and blue eyes. Heads turn. I'm proud to be her mama.

8) Happy. I always hear her, howling with laughter over random jokes and funny films she is watching with friends. That makes my heart happy, to know I've raised a happy person.

9) Smart, and not just book smart. Good with money. Careful at budgeting funds. Clever. Street smart.

10) Imaginative, creative, artistic. She can make amazing art on the computer. animation or paintings. I think she gets the artistic side from me, the writer.

Rachel, I Love You. Don't ever change. My heart is full of gratitude to have you as my loving daughter.

I will always be here for you.

Love,

xx Mom xx

The 100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Day #15 -- Volunteer at the next opportunity in your community

Dear Readers,

I've been busy with my full time day job, and now it's the weekend. Time to post more entries for the 100 day gratitude challenge.

Here we are at Day #15. This one urges you to "Volunteer at the next opportunity in your community."

What a wonderful suggestion this one is! Myself, I pride myself in lending a hand to a good cause, helping someone in need, or perhaps it's just giving your time at a local nonprofit organization.

In the past, I've volunteered at a soup kitchen, went door to door on a friend's political campaign (oh that 36 degree weather and 2nd degree sunburn!), spent eight months handing out canned goods at a food bank, volunteered a year at the Optimist Youth Dance, lent my time in the Santa Claus Parade, did clerical work for a hospice, sorted donations at a thrift store, helped at the Hearts of Durham Gala to raise funds for women's shelters...the list goes on. Volunteering gives us a chance to give back. It boosts our self esteem, it's a chance to network and meet new friends or make new allies in the community. Overall, it's just marvelous. Giving back expands the heart, opens your vortex to abundance, and Paying it Forward is amazing karma! My heart is full of gratitude for the experiences that have dropped me to my knees. The low times and the ecstatic times. I'm certain there is no mistake to the Universe's perfect plan for me. All the good that I have given out -- whether helping a friend cope with his bipolar disorder and encourage him not to end his life, or slip that sandwich and box of chocolates to the homeless man on Christmas Eve -- it will surely find its way back to me, no doubt at all.

What experience, if any, can you share with us of your volunteering?

Please do so in the comments section. I'd love to know your thoughts.

Have a beautiful October weekend, enjoy the blue skies and swirling leaves! The air is cooler, the nights are chilly, and I'm wrapped in my fuzzy blanket, enjoying many a coffee, Chai and Earl Grey tea.

Much Love,

xx RR xx