Category: Lifestyle

International Kissing Day

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Apparently, today is “International Kissing Day.” Who comes up with these days, anyway? Kissing, I feel you should know, is a favorite activity of mine. But, I’m not doing any kissing on International Kissing Day which is a damn shame. I am working on a novel again, however (thank you, sweet baby Jesus). As I write a new love story, (the secondary plot) and think up ways to draw these two together, I’m personally feeling a little neglected in the romance department (haha). Because I write about love and relationships, I’m always looking for inspiration anywhere I can find it (since romance in my real life is non-existent).

Here are some favorite quotes about kissing & a couple favorite scenes from my favorite fictional movie characters:

“Kiss me, and you will see how important I am.” ― Sylvia Plath

“Now a soft kiss – Aye, by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss.” ― John Keats

“No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (Rhett is terribly misunderstood & was far too good for Scarlett)

“When my date takes me home and kisses me good night, if I don’t hear the philharmonic in my head, I dump him.” — The Mirror Has Two Faces

“I didn’t want to kiss you goodbye — that was the trouble — I wanted to kiss you good night — and there’s a lot of difference.”
― Ernest Hemingway

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.”
― Ingrid Bergman

And my favorite: “I’m so glad they still work. I haven’t used them for kissing in such a long time, more like for wearing lipstick and whistling.” — Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give

If you’re a female that grew up in the 80s (and 90s too) and you don’t adore Anne & Gilbert, from Anne of Green Gables, I’m taking your chick card.
The friendship between Kathleen & Joe in You’ve Got Mail, is one of my all-time favorite romance/friendships in a movie.
Great, great line. Also, poor Rhett. He deserved better.

Have any favorite love stories from books or on screen, that you’d care to add to my list?

Maybe He’s Back?

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My muse may have returned. Last night I wrote all evening. Maybe he’s back? Or maybe he’s just being as fickle as ever and tonight will be a slog.

Either way, I’m settled into my comfy bed, to work on my novel, A Thousand Years – just the same. I’m going to try and convince him to stick around. Or at least I’m gonna try. Instead of the television drowning out the noisy neighbors, I’ve got my A Thousand Years playlist going (starting with My Love For You is Real because that song is IT), and my trusty companion is snoring on her chaise lounge. Yes, she has an entire chaise lounge to herself. It’s big enough for two people – but I digress.

Some days I have to write myself into writing. And that’s what I’m doing now . . . as I tackle more edits for a novel that I love (but one that’s giving me fits). My goal is to write 3,000 new words this evening or to edit 6,000-8,000.

By the way, this Ryan Adams song has inspired many a writing sesh. It’s one of my all time favorite songs. So writer friends, what do you do to get yourself into writing mode? Is it music? Is it your favorite corner of your house or apartment? A favorite coffee shop? How do you get yourself in the zone?



Come Over & Other Random Musings on a Crappy Monday

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Phew, has it ever been a week. My doggy is having a rough time. She stumbled a couple of times on Saturday – as if her legs couldn’t hold her up. Her legs just seemed to go right out from under her. It just killed me – especially since I had to go to work later that afternoon for an event. This is the second time this has happened. The day before, she limped all day. It hurt my heart. But that’s not all that’s going on with her. So tomorrow we’re off to the vet. This poor girl. She has been so healthy, for so long.

She’s put in a good 11 years without any health issues. It’s probably just about that time that stuff would pop up. She has been my most loyal (and also neurotic), hilarious companion since the day I adopted her in Joshua Tree, California. I’m bummed, to be honest. I shared a little about her, here. If you know me in real life, like know me-know me, you will learn pretty quickly that my dog is a constant source of laughter up in here. She’s a nut. Seeing her struggling has not been easy.

Overall, I’ve been in a weird spot this last week while I balance figuring out next steps (career wise), with finishing a “work project” before I can officially depart. The other thing to balance, is some tough disappointments for this old heart of mine. I need a freaking hug is what I’m saying. One of the things I know for sure? I really cannot function well without music. So here are a few favorites getting me through over the last week. What are you listening to these days?

Come Over by Sam Hunt – enough said. Also, the “Between the Pines” version of his songs are my favorites.

“Grab your key
Climb in your car
Put your headlights in my yard
Pull up the drive
Put it in park
Walk inside
Underneath my stars, I’ll be waiting
I’ll be waiting
Don’t say a word
Don’t say a word
Come over”

“But maybe we just slow down
See where it can take us”

“Ooh, your love is a symphony
All around me
Running through me
Ooh, your love is a melody
Underneath me
Running to me
Your love is a song
The dawn is fire bright
Against the city lights
The clouds are glowing now
The moon is blacking out, it’s blacking out
So I’ve been keeping my mind wide open
I’ve been keeping my mind wide open, yeah”

I’m off to do a little work on the writing before turning in for the night. What are you listening to this week?

I should be asleep right now . . .

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The thing is, I’m a night owl. This doesn’t fit well with my day job. I should be asleep right now. My weekend was short due to an event & such. So then when I finally have time to write – I don’t want to stop. It’s 11:48 and I have things to say and do for this new novel of mine. But my alarm clock will go off in the morning, whether or not I want it to.

Not all that long ago, I expected to enter a contest with a literary agency, using my novel A Thousand Years. I’ve changed my mind, dudes. I am going to use a newly re-started novel. But the problem is, I hate the idea of putting together a book proposal for a book that is just a tiny babe. So every second this weekend I couldn’t be writing, I’ve wanted to be writing. Boy is that a good feeling.

You can find the opening lines, here. You can find the totally weird playlist I’m using, here . . .

This is a super random mix of music. It’s what I was listening to on the beaches of Southern California (usually Huntington Beach) growing up, Carolina Beach music, and other beachy stuff – including some country music. Spotify usually suggests songs to add to your playlists (at the very end of your playlist). A few different times as I’ve added songs, Spotify has sputtered a little with suggestions. Hahahaha. I got a kick out of this. The playlist is as random as I am. Weezer circa 2001 – to classic rock from the 70s, U2, The World Famous KROQ (I miss those days in many ways), hits from the 80s & 90s, and a bunch of other of stuff.

Here’s my inspiration board on Pinterest:

In other news, I can’t write without music. I cannot. I know others who have to have total silence. I can’t fathom this. Nor can I imagine writing a scene and not turning to the vast interwebs for remembering things long since forgotten. For instance, no matter how many summers I spent at Huntington Beach and Newport – sometimes I need a little refresher. I try not to let myself get bogged down and distracted on little bunny trails and research. But it happens sometimes. For instance . . . Mr. Zoog’s Sex Wax. THAT is what the beaches of SoCal smell like. I had forgotten about this little thing until I started writing this evening. I just found out they have air fresheners. Dude. I’m buying some for my car. By the way, in case you don’t know, surfboard wax (like Mr. Zoog’s Sex Wax), is used to increase grip, traction, etc. It’s applied to a clean board. With friends that were surfers, throughout my teen years in particular, the surfboard wax (they all used Mr. Zoog’s) co-mingled with our sunscreen and tanning oil. Really, that’s a SoCal beach to me. Such great memories!

Anywho . . . it’s now 12:30 and I’m remembering all sorts of fun things like being at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington or camping along the fine dirt cliffs of San Clemente. So fun. When this novel is finished, I am certain it will be a favorite.

Yadkin Valley Wine Region

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In case you’re wondering – the Yadkin Valley Wine Region in North Carolina is beautiful. My mom & I drove through some gorgeous countryside today. We are staying in Boone but made a detour to wine country. I can’t wait to make a trip again (to stay longer). I plan on sharing a few more details when I get home. But for now, here’s a few photos from Shelton Vineyard & Winery.