March 2021 is such an interesting month. By this time, we
should have an idea which way things are going. We’ve left the cliff behind,
right? After a year like 2020, our ears are perked like Easter bunnies and our
eyes focus on the horizon. It's almost St. Patrick's Day when folks hold up a glass and say, Slainte, which means health. Speaking of health, things are better, right?
The future of America depends on kids who can attend school! Teams are waiting for star players, while crickets hang out under the dugout. Libraries
are opening but have several restrictions, churches take reservations, restaurants
may, or may not, have indoor seating, and you might be able to try on clothes at
your favorite department store, but don’t quote me. And, while you’re out and
about, don’t get tired, because there are no benches or places to sit. I’m
convinced double masking is for the young. I can’t do it.
How about the age limit for a vaccine? Should I skip it all
together? Will anyone want to hug or shake hands anymore? Is kissing someone on the cheek forbidden? Dancing? Weddings? Dang, I'm confused.
It’s like that song
by The Clash, ‘Should I stay or Should I Go?’
Thankfully, there’s one constant--the love in our hearts coming from God. One Alpha and Omega who is
the same yesterday, today and forever. I think I’ll focus on that for now.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my friends!
Though I had trouble breathing, the merchandise spoke to me.
As a writer with hobbies like reading, cooking and
crocheting, getting exercise is imperative. The last few weeks we’ve had to go
on slow, short walks, even though my legs prefer, and need, longer walks. The
short walk is about a quarter mile and the long walk is a lovely two miles. While
there are a few medium routes that are one mile long, I get overruled on those
due to hilly terrain or traffic. Hubs has pain from knee surgery and an old
ankle injury. Maybe I was a Labrador retriever in my last life, because I loveto go for walks. Short, long or in between, I’m happy with any kind of walk!
Funny thing is, I have a sweet friend who would gladly walk
with me and go on long, strenuous walks, but bless her heart, she likes to go
fast! She’ll round the corner, shouting and turning back to me, “Hurry up,” she’ll
say, “come on!” But, I don't want to hurry. Being outside is a luxury during a pandemic. We've been cooped up like chickens and locked up like convicts! This is 2021—nothing is fast—why should I be fast? I like to listen to the birds sing, I like to enjoy
the fresh air, the flowers and the all-around scenery, perhaps take photos of a
sprouting tree or the yellow underbelly of a finch. Sadly, I told her I’ll walk
with my husband, who would rather do just about anything these days, and yet,
out of the kindness of his heart, he still acquiesces to the short walk; this
is the same guy who once walked 100 miles at one time in the Army!
When I go alone, I opt for a brisk medium walk. Truth be
told, I miss walking my dogs. Pinky is a senior dog and I can’t risk some lightning
fast dog approaching her and scaring her to death. She’s been attacked before
in La Quinta (Bull dog and Rottweiler-15 stitches), and then almost again when
we lost Fiona to a big Belgian Malinois running off leash. Fiona had on a thick
camouflaged harness, looking adorable, when out of the blue, tragedy struck. I picked up Pinky and ran home screaming, “Jesus
help me!” Yup, I left Fiona and my husband to die. Fortunately, Steve survived,
but after fighting over Fiona, the dog had bit Steve’s throat while looking for his jugular!
Later, when animal control took a report, they told us they
weren’t putting the bad dog down, only placing him on house arrest for one year!
Just appalling. Sorry for the sad facts, but walking just isn’t the same
without your furry friends at your side. And, I suppose as time goes on, I'll be relegated to going it alone or mopping my floors instead. Housework sucks!
The thing is, I shouldn’t mind walking alone. After all, I’m
never alone, right? Remember that song from the musical “Carousel”, called, “You’ll
Never Walk Alone?” Here’s a great rendition:
Today, I noticed a few chalk drawings in front of the park where
Fiona and Steve were attacked. A year and half later, my head still can’t shake
those vivid, painful memories. How can something like this happen in our
neighborhood? I fight back tears every time I walk by the scene of the bloody
event and there, at my feet is a message. A chalk drawing to remind me--He’s here--wherever
I choose to step-- and wherever I intend to go.
It’s gray outside, in fact, it looks and feels bleak. Our
country is not only cold, as in rain and snow, but also battling a virus. For the last few months
things have been horrible and depressing. My noise cancelling headphones broke
in half—so now there’s nowhere to hide from the six o’clock news. Our friends
are in and out of hospitals. Sadly, despite our constant prayers, a few didn’t
make it. Another is stuck in hospice.
Even during the darkest days, we know things will get
better. Of course, they will, but even smiling broadcasters don’t have a
clue as to when. But there’s always hope, or at least there should be hope.
“Where there is no hope, it is
incumbent on us to invent it.” ~ Albert Camus
At 7:48am this morning someone sent me flowers. The doorbell
rang and the driver, who should have worn a mask, handed me a lovely bouquet of
roses, lilies and daisies. After setting them on the counter, I immediately
washed my hands. Still, it came as a delightful surprise.
Five minutes later, a romantic couple of large, mallard
ducks flew into our backyard as a sort of harbinger of spring. Splashing and
quacking, they shook their tail feathers and sat down on the flagstone. Every
year a couple, maybe the same ones, return to lay eggs behind our mesquite tree.
Once the ducklings hatch, they toddle off behind mama duck, to a local creek. Why
would this year be any different?
An hour later, my Valentine went to get his first dose of
the vaccine. Things are looking up. There might even be a bit of sunshine
today!
May hope and love fill your heart this Valentine’s Day!
When I look at the birds, I feel sorry for them. Outside in
the cold, they sit on barren trees, exposed to the elements, in what folks in California
describe as cold weather.
In ancient times, way before they had fast-talking meteorologists,
there were natural ways to figure out upcoming changes in the weather. I don’t
mean fast-talking as a slur, but here, during Golden State winters, we have a lot
going on. Periodically, I even worry the
forecasters need to take a breath, lest they keel over on camera.
Arms gesticulating in front of a giant map, they inhale and
explain how rain is swooping in from the north, while heat is coming in from
the south. There’s a dangerous current blowing in from the east, snow in the
mountains with light precipitation in the valleys, a heat wave in the desert,
and hazardous rip currents at the beach, with an onshore flow that will bring coastal
fog to low-lying communities.
Oh, my goodness, it all sounds so exciting, even my heart
begins to race! (It doesn’t take much during this stay at home order and
pandemic.)
As a viewer, we try deciphering the diagrams pertaining to
our area, but somehow, the predictions rarely match reality. Maybe we live in a micro-climate? While the
doppler radar can foresee our future, we scratch our heads wondering where our
home fits into the analytical scheme of things. Still, we’re a sucker for
entertainment so we keep watching the weather report.
But outside, there’s something different going on. “Relax,”
the birds outside my window seem to chirp. “You have a home— so stop
complaining—stay inside. Sure, it’s cold—it’s winter—duh. In case you haven’t noticed,
we’re busy. We need to build a nest as soon as possible. I need a twig. I need
to call my friends. How am I supposed to raise a family? I need to sing to warn
the others that bad weather is coming, and I need to find food to sustain me when
it’s cold.”
Every night at 5pm, hundreds of crows fly overhead.
Okay, I see their point. Just like weatherpersons speaking
faster in winter, they fly and flit with a greater urgency. Time is of the
essence. Based on what I see, it’s going to rain tomorrow.
I have a question for some of my writer friends. Have you
ever come across a character who was annoying and obnoxious from the moment
they popped into your head?
Let me introduce you to gorgeous but naughty Giulia. This is a character I don’t
know much about but she sure knew how to start trouble in my novel. When author
Sandra Jackson asked to interview one of my characters, I thought it would be
hilarious to find out more about Giulia.
The best part of the interview is that
Sandra seamlessly was able to read between the lines of my vague responses. Giulia is
Juan’s sweetheart, but her heart is all over the place, as you'll see in this funny and entertaining interview.
Take a
look at these tidbits from some amazing reviews!
Don't let the cover fool you. This isn't your every day romance- -it's a Machiavellian tale about changing the world!
“This is a fantasy romance
wrapped in the Impossible Dream.”-Marilyn J. Collier
“This book is true escapist
fare, giving readers a “Gee, I wish we could really do this!” fantasy, and a
time-out from all the current world chaos.”-Bjonsmom
“The author took me on a
two-week, worldwide journey filled with twists and turns that kept me riveted.”-Arch
Font
“Captivating and smartly
written, it is another of the author’s “I can’t wait to see what happens next”
books. Gaal’s writing is fearless and fast-paced. I love her quirky humor and
heartwarming moments!”-Sunny Simon
“Will happiness be achieved? What a fun ride
this was... -L. Carmichael
“The story is well-crafted,
the characters believable, and the plot moves quickly to keep you engaged.”-Gina
R. Mitchell
“Read it to discover whether
the girl gets the man, the man gets the girl, or if the world gets peace”-Kenna
McKinnon
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