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.

Once Again We Must Remember....

Guns do not kill, people kill!
The tragedy in Connecticut is proof, we as a country need to re-open more mental institutions.
When growing up, every large city had a mental institution, a hospital to place mentally disturbed individuals for around the clock treatment and therapy.
The political correct world we reside in now, for the most part have done away with these vessels of intensive therapy for a more modern course, swallow a anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, anti-schizophrenic pill and go out into the world. Hopefully the disturbed individual will continue to take their medication, and visit their doctor regularly, which in a perfect world that would work, but we do not live in a perfect world.

I have to be honest, I am not following the story of this individual who destroyed so many families lives. I am not going commercialize or remember his name, rather, I will remember, CHARLOTTE BACON, 6, DANIEL BARDEN, 7, RACHEL D'AVINO, 29, OLIVIA ENGEL, 6, DAWN HOCHSPRUNG, 47, principal, MADELEINE HSU, 6, CATHERINE HUBBARD, 6, CHASE KOWALSKI, 7, NANCY LANZA, 52, gunman's mother, JESSE LEWIS, 6, ANA MARQUEZ-GREENE, 6, JAMES MATTIOLI, 6, GRACE AUDREY McDONNELL, 7, ANNE MARIE MURPHY, 52, teacher, EMILIE PARKER, 6, JACK PINTO, 6, NOAH POZNER, 6, JESSICA REKOS, 6, LAUREN GABRIELLE ROUSSEAU, 30, teacher, MARY SHERLACH, 56, school psychologist, VICTORIA SOTO, 27, teacher, and BENJAMIN WHEELER, 6.

My prayer is that we will never forget these brave individuals who's lives were taken by a mad man. Together as a nation, we will move forward with this bitter taste of despair. Always remember to tell your loved ones,how much you love them as they walk out the door.

Where ever this day leads you, my hope is that you find time to cherish the simple things in life, the beautiful snowflake drifting quietly from heaven, the small child, clinging to his parents leg, the sparkle of wonder in the eyes of children awaiting Santa, and find time to say a prayer for peace for our world.

Intricate shaped snowflakes, Snow Globes, Sleigh bells, Hot Toddy

What do you visualize when you imagine the Christmas season? I see beautiful ice crystals as the ones below:

I can not forget a winter scene snow globe or Sleigh bells

Or how about something to keep you warm as in a hot toddy?

These are some of my favorite images when I think of Christmas. Quite times watching snowflakes quietly drifting from the sky above.

Where I reside now, I don't see many if any snowflakes making their individual escape from the sky. I'm not complaining though, because when I lived in the mountains in Colorado, I had my share of snowflakes, and even the thrill of experiencing 'blue' snow. Being so frigid where I was, the snow at times actually was a beautiful aqua blue color.

Now, I have the pleasure of sipping a hot toddy and escaping in my memories of Christmas's past.

No hustle and bustle for myself and my husband. We enjoy peaceful moments of one another. Gifts and Malls? Not for us. We are lucky enough to have one another, we do not need a holiday to give one another a gift. I believe visiting with loved ones is the best gift we can offer one another. It's not about the fancy wrapping paper and bows, it's about being true to yourself, your friends and family.

Where ever this holiday season leads you, enjoy, relax, don't overspend, and spread the holiday cheer with your genuine smile.



What Are You Thankful For This Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!

Do you need one day a year to show your gratitude or are you like me, and are grateful not only on Thanksgiving, but everyday?

I am grateful each and every day I awake in the morning. At times, life isn't easy, but it is how we adjust to, and change what ever is creating waves in our normally tranquil lives.

I am thankful that my husband is in my life. Two years ago, he was in the hospital undergoing a quadruple bi-pass as well as a pace maker, defibrillator placed to help him survive. Our lives changed dramatically the month he was in ICU. We have both accepted and moved forward since then. We both view life as a gift and take nothing for granted.

Be thankful for small favors.
Be thankful for small miracles.
Be thankful for what you’ve got.
Be thankful to be alive.

What are you thankful for?

Where ever this Thanksgiving leads you, take time and count your blessings, be thankful.

https://www.createspace.com/3856794
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007LS65VC
 

Beautiful November~ Busy Month For Many

Enjoy this Poem for the Month

 

 

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow." - Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

November is also National Novel Writing Month also known as nanowrimo.
I've participated for three years and completed a rough novel in two of the three years. I'm sorry to say, this year I personally have way too many irons in the fire to be able to devote the time needed to write for nanowrio this year! But best of luck to everyone who is. I find it fun, challenging, a learning experience, and will hopefully be participating next November.
For you who do not know what this is, beginning November 1st and ending at midnight, November 30th, you write a 50,000 word novel.
If this sound of interest to you, check out the official site at: www.nanowrimo.org


My positive thoughts and prayers are for the multitude of families, devistated by Mother Nature at her Worst on the  East Coast.

Where ever this first weekend of November leads you, my hope is that you may create wonderful memories!

https://www.createspace.com/3856794
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007LS65VC
 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY
BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN TRICK- OR TREATING!

Ocober Poem

October by Hilaire Belloc

Look, how those steep woods on the mountain's face
Burn, burn against the sunset; now the cold
Invades our very noon: the year's grown old,
Mornings are dark, and evenings come apace.
The vines below have lost their purple grace,
And in Forreze the white wrack backward rolled,
Hangs to the hills tempestuous, fold on fold,
And moaning gusts make desolate all the place.

Mine host the month, at thy good hostelry,
Tired limbs I'll stretch and steaming beast I'll tether;
Pile on great logs with Gascon hand and free,
And pour the Gascon stuff that laughs at weather;
Swell your tough lungs, north wind, no whit care we,
Singing old songs and drinking wine together.

 

What a beautiful Poem. October is almost over, where has it gone? My garden is dismantled, irrigation water shut off until Spring. I picked the remainder of the tomato's this past weekend, and canned six pints of salsa. I thanked the garden as I pulled the tomato plants from the earth. Thanked it for providing my family wonderful, fresh vegetables.

Are you going trick or treating tomorrow eve? Are you aware the idea of "Trick or Treat" stems from the old custom of poor persons going to rich neighbors' homes and begging for a "soul cake" on All Souls Eve?

"October, winsome girl, you toss your shining head, And show the world your brilliant frocks of russet, gold, and red...."

Where ever this day leads you, enjoy the ride!

Are you as tired as I am about.....

All the political phone calls and commercials? I know I am. Raise your hand if you want this political race to end. My hand is up.
After working ten hours at my day job, I look forward to walking through my door at home, pour myself a glass of vino, and relax. Then it begins, phone call after phone call, all political. My friends and family know not to call after 8:00 pm, and when our phone rang at 9:50 pm two evenings ago, assuming the political calls stop at 8:00, my heart jumps into my throat, wondering who could be calling us so late. There must be something wrong, my head says. I put my knitting down, thinking I may have to answer it. We have our satellite hooked to our phone line, so the calling phone number appears on our TV. An 800 number appears at the top of the screen. I pick my knitting back up and continue on. Really? 9:50 at night????

Enough is enough. I've received my mail in ballot and will complete and get it into the mail tomorrow. Will the calls and commercials stop? Not until November 6th, I hope.
The weather is great here on the Western Slope of Colorado. High 60's low 70's. I can take this weather year round. I still have tomatoes growing in the garden, along with 4 kinds of peppers. I'm hoping to get one more good batch of tomatoes to make and can more Salsa. I have 13 jars in three different heat levels in the pantry from the earlier tomatoes. I canned 8 more jars of whole tomatoes today, which brings the canned tomato count up to 27 jars. My husband does the majority of the cooking in our home, and he assured me he'll use them up within a year.

Where ever your Saturday leads you, enjoy and smell the crisp, freshness of the fallen and falling beautiful colored Autumn leaves.

 

Please accept my apology!

I must admit, I have neglected my blog, I'm sorry about. I think I have a good reason. I have been working and have finally finished my book. It is now available in paperback and on Kindle.

How to Recognize and Overcome Victim Mentality

You may purchase it through Amazon.com or Createspace. Below are the links:

 https://www.createspace.com/3856794

http://www.amazon.com/Recognize-Overcome-Victim-Mentality-ebook/dp/B007LS65VC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1350520413&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+recognize+and+overcome+victim+mentality


I am working on another book:  Abuse or Ignorance?

I'll keep you updated, but for now, be sure to check back for more blog fun!

Thanks for all your support!!

Donna

My weekend.....

My weekend is over and the start of a fresh work work begins today. I had a productive weekend, unlike the last one,  how about you? Even though it's still warm here in Western Colorado, my husband and I are thinking ahead to winter and next spring. We purchased a new window for our home to install this fall. Nothing wrong with the old window, except next spring we are going to purchase a window air-conditioner that will go in the new window. We are tired of the swamp cooler which is positioned on the roof and much too difficult to take care of.  Our place isn't Taj Mahal, but for the two of us, it suits us just fine. When we eventually found the establishment we purchased the window from, we asked the gentleman, Ken, if he knew of anyone who worked on roofs. Our roof needs a little TLC and since Brett can no longer go up onto the roof after his quadruple bi-pass and installation of his pace-maker, defibrillator, we have to search for decent contractors. And we found him. Ken gave us a price, and it's much less than previous quotes. He's hired!
 Also this weekend, I made and canned eight pints of salsa with most of the ingredients from my garden.

Last weekend was a bit of a bust. My step-son and his wife of four days at the time, told us they were coming to see us. Brett couldn't make the trip for his wedding because it's risky for him to go into higher elevations due to his congestive heart failure. Since the wedding was held in Ft. Collins, CO, it meant that we would have to travel  close to 12,000 feet to attend, out of the question per Brett's cardiologist.
So my step-son and his wife told us they would arrive at noon, but arrived at 4:30pm, due to a tire blow out along the way. I arrived home from my writers group at 4:55pm and by 6:30 we left for dinner. After dinner, we went back to our home and had dessert which I had made. By 10:00pm, they announced they were leaving to head to their hotel which we set up and paid for.  At a face-pace the two of them headed to the front door telling us they would see us in the morning. Brett and I looked at one another, perplexed as why they bolted so early. The two of them have been living with each other for 3 years, PLUS they told us they were coming.
The next morning came and went, and so did my step-son and his new wife. They blew out of town, passed our home without  so much as a phone call, good-bye or thanks for dinner or the hotel room.
What is one to think? It's been over a week now, and Brett's son did leave a message on the answering machine that they were home safe. He also e-mailed us and told me that things didn't work out like he planned and asked me to take a picture of his dad and me and send it to him since he doesn't have any recent ones and he planned on taking a picture of us when he saw us. No explanation as to why they blew out of town, since neither of them had to return to work until the following Monday.
What is sad about this is that he doesn't know when or if he will ever see his dad again. Brett died twelve times, almost two years ago. His prognosis isn't great since his heart is working less than 20% on its own.
Sad that so many of the younger generation have no respect. His son wasn't raised like that, what went wrong? I don't think we will ever really know the REAL TRUTH as to why they flew out of here like a bat out of hell. It's not like their around the corner. They live 5 hours from us.

Where ever your week takes you, make the best of it, I know I will.

A new take on Toad Stools

Throughout this summer, Brett and I were finding 1 1/2 to 2" "gifts" on our porch every morning. I thought perhaps it was a neighborhood cat, although it was much too small for a cat.
Brett thought a squirrel, but once again, too tiny for that.
We then noticed a couple very large toad sitting on the porch and wondered if by chance it could be a toad-stool!
Being who I am, I had to "google" toad poop and was agape to learn that low-and-behold, it is toad poop!
Our mystery was solved!
The calender claims that summer is quickly disappearing, but the weather here in Western Colorado is proving otherwise. It has been an exceptionally merciless, four months.
Most children are back to school, Labor day is four days away and vacations are winding down. Unfortunately, we are inundated with commercials both on the radio and television with ad campaigns. I'm hearing most people say they can't wait until this election is over, and I agree. For the next three months, our airwaves, newspapers, magazines and Internet will be mopolized!
Solution? I have my mind made up for who I will be voting for come November. The lies and half-truths will not affect me. I'm thankful that I can choose what I read, and my television & radio remotes have a MUTE button!
Where ever this Thursday leads you, make the best of it and keep your remote close by.