Summer Abandon, Tall Fences, And Naval Academy Adventues

June is a busy month filled with distractions.  In the northeastern states, June is the month we finally shake off the chill of spring and see temperatures rise into something resembling honest to goodness warmth; you know... that need-a-fan-kind-of-warmth where bare feet and bare arms are comfortably exposed.  It's glorious!  The early days of summer lure us to set aside work and simply enjoy the nice weather.  On the side is Killer Rock, Nay Aug Park, Scranton, PA.  Here's one brave soul!  It's great to see teens rejoicing in summer abandon.

I indulge the welcome heat and sunshine, as I long for these days during the cold and harsh winters of the North-Atlantic states.  All the while, those goals are waiting.  In an effort to maintain my progress, I've learned to combine my loves.  Ha. 


I've a lovely new canopy (one day I'll post pics, it's raining today.  Sigh) and comfortable chairs around my patio table.  Plants decorate my newly secluded side yard after the privacy fencing went up {now if I can only get the back of the yard privacy fenced in the next month...I've a neighbor who has me steamed!  Steamed, I tell you! Er, more on that some other time after my current 'fotch' wears off. :{  And no...it's not over my dog, I simply liked the cartoon.  My dog, however, holds no affection for said neighbor...I think he bears a grudge on my behalf. Lol.  Ah!  Such a gut Schutzhund.  :} 

Last spring

      





My husband landscaped a beautiful little section outside my writing nook window with my favorite - marble rocks.  It looks so neat and clean.  He added a basket-hanging post and two small flowering hanging baskets.  It's lovely.  I can enjoy it from my patio while outside and from my writing chair when inside.




My fountain cracked over the winter despite draining and winterizing.  I probably won't replace it this year with all that fencing to purchase, but my next door neighbors put in a large pond at the base of their sloped backyard and a beautiful man-made 'babbling-brook' which keeps the water cycling.  We're already separated by 6' fencing on that side (and they are the nicest neighbors ever!), but the sound of all that water carries nicely!

It's a peaceful setting, and I plan to utilize the space for some serious writing and reading!  Do you have a favorite outdoor writing space?   An oasis of sorts where you can enjoy the great-outdoors and still strive to hit those writing goals?

On The Writing and Goals Front...

*  Chapter Seven complete.  Check.

*  Evangeline is in store for a few surprises in Chapter Eight.  Oh!  The writing bliss! 

*  Exercise:  Gillian's Ripped in 90 (or 30, for I cannot remember which it is...lol) is great.  We're alternating between those workouts and her abdominal series.  I've become fairly comfortable with eight pound weights for most of the workout, although my triceps want to revolt and string me up alive.  I found a new hated exercise.  It's a side plank position, top arm extended toward the ceiling, where you must pull up and in with the bottom leg.  The strength needed to maintain balance while attempting such a feat is proving a difficult challenge for me.  A few weeks and I'll be a pro.  For now...I'm just happy my workout partner isn't laughing-her-unmentionables-off at my shaking arm!

*  WanaTribe (link is to my home page) is a fantastic site.  Thanks so much Elizabeth Mitchell for inviting me!  This is a great platform building site.  Established authors are sharing information and writing tips, marketing helps, and just plain old and much needed encouragement.  Creator, Kristen Lamb has done a fabulous job laying out the site for easy navigation!  Check it out.

*  My new weekly series, Researching For Romance Writing, is generating some great comments!  I love the little tidbits I've picked up in addition to my own research.  My goal is to stay three to four weeks ahead of myself here and to sprinkle different themes over the weeks.  A little historical, a bit of contemporary, a dash of paranormal - mix up the older research with the new to keep it interesting. 

*  Social goals are a continuing area of enjoyment and success.  Keep those interesting posts coming, everyone!  I love reading!


*  DD#2 will arrive home over the upcoming weekend!  It will be a two-week-visit before she packs it up and we deposit her on the U.S. Naval Academy doorstep!  She's a mixture of nervous anticipation and anxiety.  She, like me, tends toward over analysis.  Can she cut it?  Will she make the grades?  Is the additional nine year commitment the 'right' decision?  It's so difficult to have grown children.  You see them struggle with life-changing decisions and then remember going through those times yourself.  I'm so proud of her!  I know she's got what it takes, and deep down, so does she.  But it pleases me that she takes time to reflect and contemplate, to consider carefully and weigh her options. 

Check in with fellow ROW80 writers!

 ~ Nadja