Saturday morning was cold and clear, and Maggie and I conquered the Stairway to Heaven through the hills (in the national forest behind out house):
This is one set of the zillion and two steps up and down through the hills, but it really is surreal up there! Worth the climb! Although coming back, my foot slipped on some sandy mud, and I had that split second of Oh shit! but I didn’t fall! Fortunately, Maggie either heard me slip or gasp, and stopped so I was able to regain my balance. All the steps have railroad ties at the edge, which really helps too. But this is also why I work to stay in the moment and pay full attention to what Maggie and I are doing.
Back at home, here is Maggie waiting for a treat in a small barren patch of our hill at the side of our house. Can you tell she wants the treat?
Today I’m working on a foreign rights offer on my old mystery series. I want to say here, that I emailed the Steven Zacharius of Kensington Publishing to make sure the old licensing agreement had expired and he answered that he’d follow-up on Monday. That’s right, he took the time out of his Sunday to let me know he’d check on it. That was way above and beyond any call of duty and truly appreciated. I know people have their own stories, but I always found both Kensington and Random House, my two NY publishers, to be professional and generally helpful even years after I stopped writing for them.
And since I’m generally unimpressed with the Weight Watchers freestyle, I’m just focusing on being healthy, happy and grateful.
So that was my weekend, how was yours?
February 26th, 2018 at 7:31 am · Link
Yay for conquering the stairway! That’s some daunting looking stuff there. So glad you didn’t fall. I hate that ‘oh, crap, I’m going down’ feeling. No falls for me since August… knock on wood. Yay for Maggie! She deserves treats for being so awesome. Yay for good publishers!
I read a lot. Finally finished Shogun after almost 2 months of reading off and on. Whew. It was a behemoth book. We’re working on making healthier food choices over here, you know since we aren’t spring chickens anymore. I baked some healthy cookies that I really need to tweak so they’re tastier. And I made no-bakes which are healthier than store-bought. My week-off of work ends today and I’m happy to be getting back at it on Early Grave. And now that the weather is getting better, I need to get work on the gardens again. My hyacinths are already poking their heads up through last year’s leaf-litter. I am so ready for spring.
February 26th, 2018 at 10:06 am · Link
I could get up that sucker but coming down? Yeah…no. Yes, that sounds weird but my knee is crazy like that. It doesn’t mind climbing, but stepping down? I have to face the stair rail, step down with the left foot, then follow to the same step with my right. Takes a long time.
Maggie is such a good dog and SMART! Yay on the interest in foreign rights and wow on Kensington getting right on it! I’m truly impressed.
I put Lawyer Guy on a plane for Washington Saturday afternoon. He’ll be home Wednesday night, late. Which means I have to drive in the dark. In his truck. Which I’m not used to driving. So I’ve been driving it. Except last evening, when I stopped and got out, the dome and truck-bed courtesy lights stayed on. I could NOT figure out what I’d done and I had to text him. When he quit laughing, he texted me back with instructions.
I’m an idiot.
Writing is going. I’ve gotten to watch a few spring training baseball games. The weather is nuts–warm, cold, hot, frigid, wet, dry, icy, foggy… Oh. Wait. This is Oklahoma.
Anyway, that was my weekend. Today is the kidnap and hopefully the recovery scenes. We’ll see. In the meantime, roofers are working across the street and the dogs are going nuts. They can’t decide if squirrels are rampaging across OUR roof, or if there’s someone knocking on the door. Fun times.
February 26th, 2018 at 12:41 pm · Link
B.E., I just saw on FB your sales milestone!! Congrats!!! You’ve worked so hard, and I’m thrilled to see how well you’re doing!
I remember a couple of your falls, so glad to hear you’re on a fall-free streak! I rarely fall, but it could happen. I worry about it more now, especially with all the hiking. It’s easy to lose step on a rock and roll an ankle.
I’m impressed you finished Shogun!
If you find a great no bake healthy option, let me know. I had way too many chocolate covered graham crackers this weekend. I’m trying to abstain today.
Hope you can get outside and enjoy gardening!
February 26th, 2018 at 12:47 pm · Link
Silver, it’s not weird at all. I have to come down the bigger steps sideways on that hike, and when my RA flairs up, I come down our stairs at home like that. S-l-o-w-l-y. I feel for you!
I was impressed with Steven Z too. They’re checking into the subrights licensing for me today and I’m assuming I’ll hear back tomorrow or Wednesday. It’s also a good reminder on why we stay on good terms (I had no reason not to, though.)
LOL on the truck lights! You’re not an idiot and I’ve had stuff like that happen to me. Yesterday I accidently turned the flashlight on my phone, and had to Google how to turn it off. I felt stupid, but I’ve just never had a need to use it.
The weather is on crack everywhere.
Good luck with the kidnapping/recovery scene, and ugh on the roofers. The dogs are going to need xanax and so are you!
February 26th, 2018 at 3:55 pm · Link
That looks like a long hike. I’m glad you were able to keep yourself from getting hurt. Also, you have proof how in tune you and Maggie are to one another.
Oh I don’t think Maggie wants that treat at all
.
I don’t know anything about writing but in any type of work I’ve found it amazing when someone responds on a weekend. Those are good people.
Your focus is dead on. Being healthy and feeling good is the most important thing.
Our dinner with middle and soon to be DIL Saturday was really nice. We met at an Outback close to where they live. Abby is getting so excited about getting married and the honey moon (she’s never been on a plane). We’re sending them off on first class flights to CO and they’re going to hike and travel around. She has her wedding band and couldn’t wait to show me. It’s really pretty. I think it looks like a delicate anniversary band.
I hope you’re having a wonderful day :)!
February 26th, 2018 at 7:47 pm · Link
Viki, Maggie has her moments. Other times, she’s a clueless wonder, LOL!
I was surprised at the weekend response too. Especially since I’ve gotten lax about answering emails.
That’s wonderful and generous of you guys to send your son and his bride first class to CO! They will love first class and I bet they really enjoy CO. I love how proud she is of her ring
It’s an exciting time in their lives and yours!
Hope your week is getting off to a great start.