I’m grabbing my chance to blog while I can–it’s been a wild ride, between switching servers and dicey connections in general. Oh, well, at least I finally showed up. 🙂
This week’s winners are Lyla Pedersen and Anita C. Congratulations, ladies. A new round begins on Monday, so if you didn’t win this time, please keep trying. Next week’s winners: one will receive THE DESIRE MAP and an autographed copy of BIG SKY SECRETS, by moi. 🙂 A second winner will receive BIG SKY SECRETS, signed of course, and a special goody I brought back from this year’s big rodeo, the NFR, in Las Vegas. Again, winners will be chosen at random, and notified by Jenni-the-fabulous before their names are announced on this blog.
BIG NEWS! BIG SKY SECRETS is #1 this week on both the New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for going out and buying it. You are definitely part of the team, right along with those fabulous folks at Harlequin and me—where would I be without you? I don’t even want to think about it!
What’s been on my mind lately: Well, mainly the new book, THE MARRIAGE PACT, of course. The deadline is looming and I’m working long and hard to meet it, and already dreading the inevitable letting go of my characters. I get so attached to them, and even though they’re imaginary, they are oh-so-real to me. I always suffer a bout of empty nest syndrome when they go on to the next phase–I wonder if that’s why–just between you and me–I sometimes procrastinate?
I’m as passionate as ever about crystals and gemstones, and love learning more about them. They are, to borrow my niece Kelly’s term, real game-changers. In my case, in fact, they’ve been life-changing!
For whatever reason, this darn computer isn’t following my instructions. Drat!
What I’m reading/listening to: Sue Monk Kidd’s new novel, the name of which eludes me at the moment. (Where are those darn post-it notes of mine?) I’ve been a fan of this writer since she penned articles and devotions for Guideposts magazine, years ago–and I just loved THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. (THE MERMAID’S CHAIR, not so much, though I’m sure I’m in the minority there. 🙂 ) Sometimes, for whatever reason, the occasional book just doesn’t ring our chimes–or, as Robyn Carr would say, “blow up our skirt”–happens to everybody, me included.
On the Gratitude Journal front: The joys and benefits of this practice continue to amaze me. If you haven’t started yours, it’s not too late. You don’t need a fancy journal, either–a 99-cent composition notebook will do just fine. If you could use a few miracles in your life, try this.
Morning Pages, per Julia Cameron, author of THE ARTIST’S WAY: I have tons of notebooks around, jam-packed with the famous 3 pages of handwritten, stream of consciousness stuff, because I’ve been using the technique since, well, forever. However, over the last year, I sort of got out of the habit, to my detriment. I’ve started up again, as of December 31, and I am benefiting enormously. While the technique is aimed at writers and artists, it will serve anyone well–it’s a terrific way to get the clutter out of your head and onto paper, where you can see what’s going on. Seems like every day I get a new insight.
New favorite gadgets: (Hey, this blog is nothing if not eclectic, right?) #1: my electric egg poacher. I have 2 eggs and 2 slices of toast made with Sara Lee’s light bread for breakfast often–and can still stay well within the guidelines of Simply Slimming, Weight Watchers’ wonderful alternative to the Points plan. (Which I still think is the most brilliant innovation in weight loss EVER.) #2: my full-spectrum “happy” light. It’s very effective against SAD, a condition that plagues me every winter. #3: (There are more, but I’m running on so I’ll describe them another time.) The Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich-maker. What a handy little deal this is! It makes a complete and very tasty sandwich, quickly, and I get to choose the ingredients.
www.DailyAudioBible.com remains my favorite podcast of all time. Again, it’s not too late to start.
Well, gang, for this week, it’s a wrap. Be safe, be kind, be well. And don’t forget that God loves you–not just when you’re good, but 24/7.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
