Merry Christmas Eve

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the world, and I am. . . . . . . .

What are you doing this Christmas Eve Day?  Many of us are racing through stores either to purchase that last gift or two; or at the grocery store picking up the last minute item you forgot to complete tomorrow dinner.

I recall as a young child how exciting it was knowing Santa Clause was going to visit this very night.  What will he leave under our tree?  Oh how I wanted to go to bed early in hopes Christmas morning would arrive sooner.  As a child our family would normally attend church and then after the service we would go to my aunts home.  My father came from a large family so all our aunts, uncles and cousins would be there.  We would eat dinner and anxiously await to open the many gifts under the tree.  So many beautifully  wrapped packages waited to be torn open.  I was the child who didn't just rip or tear my presents open, I would methodically separate each piece of tape which held my gift together; piece by little piece until my gift was exposed.  I don't know the reasoning why I did this, but I know I always enjoyed watching my siblings open their gifts.  Their eyes all wide with excitement as they tore their packages open.  Even today, I enjoy observing others open their gifts. I rather give than receive gifts.  Deep in my psyche, anytime I receive a gift, I always feel there is an unwanted expectation attached to the present. I adore my husband because he knows my feelings on this, and we do not exchange gifts with one another.  Rather we treat ourselves to a wonderful crab leg dinner.  No gifts exchanged at our home.  Because we do not live close to any of our children or my granddaughter, I do not get the pleasure of watching them open their gifts we have sent them.  I do enjoy the excitement in their voices when we speak on the phone when they thank me for what I have gifted them.

Where ever this Christmas Eve finds you, enjoy the spirit of this time of year.  Do your best in 2014 to recall the love and excitement you'll feel these next few days and bring these wonderful feelings into every day in the new year.  You won't be disappointed.  Smile at strangers; as this may be the only smile they will see that day.

Winter Wonderland

Is it a Winter Wonderland where you are?  I have to admit, I'm not very knowledgeable about global warming, but I do know one thing, Baby it's cold outside! 

Living on the Western Slope of Colorado, we normally do not see this much snow.  As you can see, the seasons are confused.  The leaves have fallen on top of the fresh snow. 
My husband and I have finally moved into our new townhouse this past week.  The weather changed from good to snowy and cold Thursday evening.  If you happen to believe in karma, my husband and I agree that ours suck!

First I backed my car up too close to the awning legs in our old home, while moving, and gave them a nice crinkle.  Not good because we already sold the home, so now we have to fix the supports and gutter that I crunched.  We did get it all repaired, but not in time for the snowfall to put a wet damper on the project. 

Friday we moved the larger furniture with the help of some of the girls from the Winery I work at.  All went smooth. 

Saturday morning, my husband and me go to Starbucks to get our latte's to wake up.  In the parking lot as I unlock my car but before I entered it, I heard my husband yell something and upon looking up I don't see him.  He had slid on the ice and on his back he went, part of his latte all over the passenger door window. I helped him up and into the car, but his right hip and elbow are stiff and very sore. 

This morning upon awakening, he called me at work to let me know he is having trouble walking down the stairs in our new home.  Not good.

Moving stinks, I don't care who you are or how far you are relocating. Add in the wonderful winter land we are presently enjoying, NOT, and it all adds up to Nasty.

I always attempt to find the best of every difficult situation.  I have found my positive in this situation.  All the moving is complete and I am now able to direct all my attention onto my romantic murder mystery called: PickMe.com Corpse.

I am hoping to have it released in January 2014.  Be sure to watch for it. It will be available on Amazon.com in a Kindle edition plus paperback.  If you enjoy reading murder mysteries with a little sex and romance mixed in, you will enjoy PickMe.com Corpse.

Where ever your Sunday, December 9th leads you, do your best to enjoy the beauty which surrounds you. 

Donna

Donna Lively: I'm often asked. . .

Donna Lively: I'm often asked. . .: Not all monsters are ugly.   Every murder has a victim—every victim has a story, this is my story.          My apartment complex was ...

I'm often asked. . .

Not all monsters are ugly.  Every murder has a victim—every victim has a story, this is my story.

         My apartment complex was two up two down.  I was in 2B. I never liked my neighbors, but the rent was affordable.

            Saturday, August 20^th. 2012, 1:30 p.m.  It was hot in the city, hot and so humid the air was not only sticky but almost dripping.  It rained every evening for a week, and everything is molding, including the clothes you’re wearing, typical for August in Cleveland.

 

What you read is the beginning of my upcoming novel, "Hunt Club Corpse."  I'm often asked, "Where do you get your idea's?" 

 

My answer is simple: If you are living and breathing, you have a story in you.  At my current age of fifty-four, my life has been filled with stories and story ideas, like you.

 

Remember that time? When I'm asked this question from a sibling, friend, parent, my children, granddaughter or co-worker, the memory in question can and many times will trigger a future story. You will see a pen or pencil in my hand jotting down bits and pieces to bring a distant memory alive in a new way.  It may be used or not in the future, but I do have these remembrance's in an index box labeled simply: Box of Memories.

 

On my nightstand is a tablet and pen for those thoughts and dreams which come in my sleep and I'll awake and write them down, or when I can't sleep and my mind is racing with ideas. 

Does this happen to you or am I the only one? 

 

Everywhere you go, an idea will present itself.  The farmers market, grocery store, library, children playing in the park, the quietness of a lake, the mountains in the distance, or in my case, in my back yard.  Stop reading and look around you right now?  What do you see? Choose one object you see and write a paragraph about it.

 

Looking out at the mid-August blue sky, a hummingbird stopped to quench it's thirst on the red strawberry shaped bird feeder hanging out my window.  Where are you coming from and where is your destination I ponder.  Did you lap sweet nectar on my vibrant pink fuchsia on the far side of the barn before visiting this feeder? 

 

What ever crosses your path today, ask yourself this: Is what I'm seeing or what I just heard from that lady yelling at the clerk in front of me in the grocery line, a future story?  Listen and observe.  Bring your head out of the sand,look, listen and write.

 

What ever you do or where ever you visit today, make it the best.  I guarantee when you begin to observe and hear your personal surroundings you will find an idea to base a story around or use in a story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2013 has arrived!

August 2013 is here.  Another month, where have the last seven months gone to?  I've always heard, when you get older, time flies much quicker.  I now understand that.  Children in our area will be back to school mid-month, I know of some kids who began school a couple of weeks ago. 
I am showing my age here, but when I was in school, it was standard to begin school after Labor Day, and end school the second week of June.  Winter break was two weeks, Easter break we received a week off and Good Friday off of school.  Summer break three months 
Although back then, there were more, one member of the household working outside the home, and many more stay-home moms.  My mom was lucky, (or unlucky) enough to fall into the stay-at-home mom.  With six daughters to raise, she had her work cut out for her. 
Was it easier back in those days to have only the father of the house as the breadwinner than today?  Some may think yes, others adamantly would say NO. 
I myself had the luxury to stay home and raise my two children.  I liked working outside the home before children, but because both my husband and I were raised by stay-at-home moms, my husband at the time thought it best I remain home and raise our children. 
Were my children "better" because of the attention and care they received by a non-working mom?  I don't think so.  As adults, are our children more well-rounded because they came home from school to a clean home, a balanced dinner, and a caring mom?
I honestly have to say no. 
As parents, we do the best we can, and even our best isn't always the best. 
If I were to look back, (which I don't like to do), and believe I was doing a great job of raising my two children, I would have to laugh.  My children were taught right from wrong, say NO to drugs, respect, financial importance, and morals.
I have learned now that a lot of what their dad and I instilled in them, was thrown to the way-side once they became adults and on their own.  I had to face something I always believed and thought everyone has their own path in life to follow.  I had to release "my" beliefs of how my children should handle situations, peer pressure.  My SHOULDS do not fit into their lives, nor should they. 
We all have individual thoughts, beliefs, standards and our own paths to follow.  No one, mainly including myself should judge others.  I had to learn to give up my thoughts and beliefs of how my now grown children should run their lives and let them walk their own path.  Mistakes are not mistakes if you learn from them; I view errors one make in life not as mistakes, but learning and growing experiences. 
Yes, my children do not do things as I believe they should, or I myself would, but that is what makes us all individuals. 
Next time you view or experience a loved one, or even a stranger doing something totally differently from how you would, remember, THEY ARE ON THEIR PATH IN LIFE, NOT YOURS.  DO NOT JUDGE, RATHER ACCEPT, LOVE AND KNOW THEY WILL MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES.

Where ever this new month leads you, do your best to view loved ones, strangers you meet or see on your journey as individuals on their personal path in life, and there is a reason they crossed you on your path, even if it's only for a moment.


 

Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943)

Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children’s books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit which celebrated the British landscape and country life.

I've always enjoyed her writings and tales of Peter Rabbit.  They were always my favorite to read to my children and granddaughter when they were young.

Born into a privileged Unitarian family, Potter, along with her younger brother, Walter Bertram (1872–1918), grew up with few friends outside her large, extended family. Her parents were artistic, interested in nature and enjoyed the countryside. As children, Beatrix and Bertram had numerous small animals as pets which they observed closely and drew endlessly. Summer holidays were spent away from London, in Scotland and in the English Lake District where Beatrix developed a love of the natural world which was the subject of her painting from an early age.

Potter’s artistic and literary interests were deeply influenced by fairies, fairy tales and fantasy. She was a student of the classic fairy tales of Western Europe. As well as stories from the Old Testament, John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress and Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, she grew up with Aesop’s Fables, the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Kingsley's The Water Babies,^[31] the folk tales and mythology of Scotland, the German Romantics, Shakespeare,^[32] and the romances of Sir Walter Scott.^[33] As a young child, before the age of eight, Edward Lear's Book of Nonsense, including the much loved The Owl and the Pussycat, and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland had made their impression, although she later said of Alice that she was more interested in Tenniel's illustrations than what they were about.^[34] The Brer Rabbit stories of Joel Chandler Harris had been family favourites and she later studied his Uncle Remus stories and illustrated them.^[35] She studied book illustration from a young age and developed her own tastes, but the work of the picture book triumvirate Walter Crane, Kate Greenaway and Randolph Caldecott, the last an illustrator whose work was later collected by her father, was a great influence.^[36] When she started to illustrate, she chose first the traditional rhymes and stories, "Cinderella", "Sleeping Beauty", "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", "Puss-in-boots", and "Red Riding Hood".^[37] But most often her illustrations were fantasies featuring her own pets: mice, rabbits, kittens, and guinea pigs.^[38]
In her teenage years Potter was a regular visitor to the art galleries of London, particularly enjoying the summer and winter exhibitions at the Royal Academy in London.^[39] Her Journal reveals her growing sophistication as a critic as well as the influence of her father’s friend the artist Sir John Everett Millais who recognised Beatrix’s talent of observation. Although Potter was aware of art and artistic trends, her drawing and her prose style were uniquely her own.^[40]
As a way to earn a bit of money in the 1890s, Beatrix and her brother began to print Christmas cards of their own design, as well as cards for special occasions. Mice and rabbits were the most frequent subject of her fantasy paintings. In 1890 the firm of Hildesheimer and Faulkner bought several of her drawings of her rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, to illustrate verses by Frederic Weatherly titled A Happy Pair. In 1893 the same printer brought several more drawings for Weatherly’s Our Dear Relations, another book of rhymes, and the following year Potter successfully sold a series of frog illustrations and verses for Changing Pictures, a popular annual offered by the art publisher Ernest Nister. Potter was pleased by this success and determined to publish her own illustrated stories.<sup>[41]

Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter, your stories will always be my favorite.

Where ever this Sunday, July 28th leads you, enjoy and appreciate your surroundings.
Until next time.....</sup>

 

A Wonderful Monday

Monday Already?  I'm sure most of us were thinking that this morning when our alarm clocks buzzed.  I was all snuggly between my sheets this morning when my clock radio began humming between stations.  The cooler nights here in the desert make nights nice to sleep.  Open the windows in the bedroom, and allow the cool night air to filter in.

Actually work wise, today is actually my Tuesday, since I worked yesterday.  I lay in bed after shutting off the radio and enjoyed the cool satin sheets against my body.  Knowing I had to get my butt in gear, I arose, checked- e-mail and facebook, the sales of my books overnight and headed to the shower. 

It was a beautiful morning here on the Western Slope of Colorado and I decided to walk to work today.  Brett and I have been dropping our weight, eating healthy and exercising, what a better way to start the day than by walking the mile to work on a beautiful morning.  The birds were chirping, butterflies drifing to and fro, a big dog behind his fence decided I was too close to his territory and began barking as I walked by. 

Today I arrived at work too quickly, it's beautiful days like today I wish I lived further from work so I could continue enjoying my walk.  Arrived to work energized and ready for my "Tuesday". 

I hope everyone is enjoying their day. 
No matter where your day leads you, do your best to enjoy it, because today will be gone and hopefully we will all awake tomorrow to enjoy another day.

Where did your Saturday lead you?

Brett and I had a wonderful day today.  We visited Cedaredge, Colorado and the Pioneer Museum.  We love living here on the Western Slope of the state.

Upon arriving home, their was a message on the machine in our office.  The caller was Brett's oldest son, asking his father to return the call.

It was the call we knew would be coming; Brett's ex-wife, his son's mother passed away this afternoon.   She actually drank herself to death at the young age of 49. 

She was a woman who has been a train wreck in our lives since the day we married, and in Brett's life for many years prior to that.  I do not like speaking badly of the dead, so I won't.  I only pray that she is at peace now, the peace she could not find here on earth.

Many mixed feelings have risen in me since hearing the news.  I'm attempting to understand them, yet I'm perplexed.  I am questioning my own mortality, although I feel that is normal when someone younger than yourself dies, and from a terrible disease- alcoholism.  

  We are all brought into this world to walk our own paths and we should not judge other's paths. I feel that everyone enters your life for a reason; they will teach you, or you will teach them.  I have learned a lot after meeting my husbands ex-wife, I don't know if she could say the same. 

Where ever your day leads you, enjoy, give someone a hug, and be thankful you saw the sun rise today.

 

Summer, Gardens and New Childrens Book

Summer is officially here, and the days will begin getting shorter. 

My garden is growing and my husband and I have enjoyed a couple of zucchini.
Speaking of gardens, I have completed a children's short story book called:

Gramiah's Special Salsa

It is a story based on The Golden Book- The Little Red Hen.

Gramiah is a brown squirrel and her friends include a ladybug, honey bee, praying mantis and a snail.
 
It will be available beginning Monday June 24th, in both paperback or on kindle.

www.donnalively.com

www.shop.donnalively.com



 

Excerpt from my December 2013 Book Release of Hunt Club Corpse

Not all monsters are ugly.  Every murder has a victim—every victim has a story, this is my story.

            My apartment complex was two up two down.  I was in 2B. I never liked my neighbors, but the rent was cheap.

            Saturday, August 20^th. 2012, 1:30 p.m.  It was hot in the city, hot and so humid the air was not only sticky but almost dripping.  It rained every evening for a week, and everything is molding, including the clothes you’re wearing, typical for August in Cleveland.

            Uniform division got the first call.   A citizen reported a bad smell penetrating from the apartment above her.

            They had no trouble finding the apartment in charming Hunt Club Village.  The officers were met outside the secured complex unit by a thin, anorexic looking, lady with stringy long red, unkempt hair, wearing bright pink lipstick, a matching rose-hued tube top and Daisy Duke Shorts.

            “Are you the one who called?” Officer Brown asked the woman.

            “Yeah,” she stated taking her scarlet color flip flop to stomp out the cigarette she flicked onto the concrete, I’m Jane.

            Finally, someone is going to find me.  I should not have died this way, I yell, yet no one hears me.  

            Officer Brown and his partner Officer Tablet followed the red haired gaunt woman as she unlocked the main door which led to the four apartments.  Once inside, Jane pointed up the stairs.  As Brown and Tablet ascend the five stairs, they are immediately met with what they know as the death scent.

            Brown slipped on gloves and tried the door to my apartment.  It’s unlocked.  He slowly opened the door and is nauseated by a stomach-turning odor.  Holding their noses, Brown and Tablet walk through the entrance way being careful to walk around all the blood that was first present in the living room.  They continued down the hallway to my bedroom, and this is where they find what is left of my earthly body.

            Immediately Brown grabbed his radio and called the Major Crime Scene Unit for photographs, fingerprinting and evidence to be collected.

           

Summer has Arrived

Summer heat has arrived here in Palisade, Colorado. Although summer is my favorite season, the Multiple Sclerosis I have been afflicted with for twenty-seven years does not like summer heat.  How do I beat the heat and it's adverse effects to my body?
Swimming is not only helpful to keep me cool, but it's also great exercise.  I do my best to visit our local outside pool and keep cool.
I also am sure I work in my garden in the early mornings while it's still cool.
I wear my cooling vest which resembles a fisherman's vest. 
Hydration is very important, so I drink lots of cool water throughout the day. 
Sit in the shade, stay out of direct sun, and eat frozen fruit bars.

A couple months ago, my husband and I installed air conditioning in our home.  I find myself on my days off of work, cooling off in the house in between either working in the garden, enjoying the nice summertime sun, and writing on two new books I am currently working on.

In my upcoming book Reality, you will travel the past twenty-seven years in my life with Multiple Sclerosis and how I deal with this debilitating disease on a daily basis.  I am aiming at releasing the book in September, but if the heat remains too hot outside, I will be inside working diligently at finishing the book for an earlier release date.

I also have another book being released in December 2013.  This is a murder mystery and the working title is Hunt Club Corpse.

Where ever your Friday June 14th takes you, stay cool, be safe and smile!

 

I need your help

With my childhood memoir complete, I am starting on another book. This is going to be a mystery, actually I am thinking of writing a 2 book series. The second book will be a who-done- it, since I am having my protagonist murdered during the first book.

Here is where I need your help.
I've already begun writing the first book, but now I'm beginning to re-think it.

Do you enjoy murder stories in which the murder is at the beginning of the story or the end?

Please leave me your thoughts, as I really appreciate all feed back.

Thanks in advance and I'm anxious to hear your ideas!

Donna

March is right around the corner

Spring is right around the corner! Who is excited for nice warm spring days? I spotted a robin in my front yard last week, then the next day it snowed!
I am so over winter already.  My husband and I moved to the Western Slope of Colorado for the mild winters, warm and early springs, and exceptional summers.  This winter left a lot to be desired, just like everywhere in the United States!

Did you know that the month of March was named after Mars, the Roman god of war?
In England, it was the first month of the year until the 18th century.

On March 2nd, 1925 the U.S. adopted the practice of route numbers for roads.

On March 7th, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone.

Where would we be today without the invention of the telephone?

"March is like a naughty child.... Blustery, teasing... captious...Wild!!"

Although February is a short month, why does it seem as though it is the longest? Possibility because of the cold and snow that keep many of us inside watching the snow fall.  Many snow ski, ice skate, snow shoe, and other outside winter activities. Myself, as a child I loved the snow and being out in it. Now at almost 54 years old, I like sitting indoors watching the snow fall as I knit or write.

Do you have any plans in the month of March?  I'm anxious to have my granddaughter visit me beginning the end of the month for Spring break. Although she will be here for a mere week, my husband and I have a lot planned for her visit.

Stay warm and where ever February 27th takes you, enjoy and have a wonderful, fantastic day.

 

Do you know why February is the shortest month?

It is the shortest month because Roman emperors, when organizing the calender, took days from it and added them to months named after themselves.

February received its name from "februare" meaning "to purify". At this time of year the ancient Romans cleansed themselves of their sins by sacrificing a goat to their gods.

February 14th was originally observed in memory of the martyrdom of St. Valentine, third century Bishop of Rome. Today it is an occasion for the exchange of sentiments.

Are you ready for Valentines day? How does one get ready? Do you have a  memory time can’t erase about a special Valentines Day?

I recall my first Valentines Day with my present husband, Brett. Knowing me as he does, he had a huge bouquet of Wildflowers sent to me at my workplace, with a special keepsake handwritten note.

What are your plans for Valentines Day? Whatever they are, enjoy, be safe, and most of all, Love the one you're with!





https://www.createspace.com/4019289

http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Because-Father-Bitched-ebook/dp/B00BDV4Y0W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360773086&sr=8-2&keywords=was+my+mother+a+bitch+because


 

I'm happy to announce my new book is now available on paperback at:

https://www.createspace.com/4019289


The Kindle Edition will be available soon.

I am now revisiting a children's book I wrote several years ago. Fingers crossed, it will be available in both paperback and Kindle the end of this month.

 

Editing, editing, and more editing

I want to begin by apologizing for not updating my blog for weeks. I have been busy editing my new book which I hope to release by the end February. This new book is called:

Was My Mother A Bitch Because My Father Drank OR Did My Father Drink Because My Mother Bitched?
My Childhood Memoir

I have been working on this book for over two years, and I'm beginning to see the light. This book is my perception of my childhood and family. You will find humor, disgust, dysfunction, but most of all my view of my family as I grew up. You will meet my father, mother and my five siblings.

I did not explore the past to assign blame, but to recognize and accept reality. It is my belief family members truly want the best of each other and begins with honesty. I am not betraying my parents or siblings when I become honest about my reality. I think when we do not speak honestly  about our experiences we ultimately betray ourselves.

It will be available on Createspace.com and Amazon.com.

I will keep you updated on the release date of my new book.

Where ever your Saturday takes you make the very best of it.