Will She or Won’t She?

 

July 2021 Blog

Insurmountable: A Haiku

I have hit that wall

Over which I cannot climb,

Yet I keep trying.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

Does that make me noble, hopeless or just plain stupid?  As July starts on a rainy note (It’s actually Monsoon Season), I’m vacillating between “hanging it up” or “hanging in there”.

I’m suffering from a really bad case of Writer’s Block. Except for the blog and my daily Haiku, I haven’t made any progress in more than two months.

Sam Rock is not pleased. He wants his new adventures with Marie Delacroix to be published and soon. The natives of Acqueria are anxious to get their early story out there also. And there’s always Eldreth lurking in the shadows wondering why his story isn’t finished.

My muse sits and sulks. She wants us to go outside and write, but we can’t. It’s been too hot (well over 100°F) for most of the month or (lately) raining day and night. She says it’s no excuse, but she knows my inside voice is hampered by the slightest distractions.

And there are plenty of those: the computer, the TV and all the housework and organizing  that screams to be done.

It would be so easy to just hang it up and not make the effort, but I’m not sure the other stuff would get done anyway. And I certainly wouldn’t be any happier.

In fact, I’m happiest when I’m writing , so I guess I owe it to myself to keep at it. There’s always the chance my muse and I will connect, and the words will flow.

My not writing would not lead to a happy me.

This will be the shortest blog I have ever posted, but it’s a compromise with my muse. The alternative would be no blog at all this month, and I’ve posted faithfully since January 1, 2017. I don’t want to break my streak, Hoping for more and better news to report next month. Until then – keep the faith and keep well. Try to stay cool. That’s been difficult in our neck of the woods where the temperature having been north of 100 F° for a while now.

June has been brutal. July promises to be no less. Let’s hope August cools down, but I’m not holding my breath.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Also, please feel free to visit me at my Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

 

 

 

 

Raining on My Own Parade

 

June 2021 Blog

Brass Ring: A Haiku

Happiness is a

Lifelong pursuit without a

Lifetime guarantee.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

I have never been a happy-go-lucky person, but I’d like to think I have had some fun in my life. Lately, it seems, “I’m getting too old for this sh*t” has become my theme song.

I am sitting out in the sunshine between storms writing this. The sun’s warmth feels wonderful, but the re-gathering clouds loom ominously. Kind of like a metaphor for my life now.

Truly, I feel I am in a race against time to pour my remaining words out into the ether. And I seem to be losing that race.

I have no one to blame but myself. I just don’t seem to be up to the challenge anymore. “That which needs to be done” always seems better done tomorrow than today, even though I realize tomorrow is not a given and today needs to better embraced.

But then, this has been my theme for quite a while, hasn’t it? I’m beginning to wonder if I can change. Perhaps I’m afraid the if I complete things (or even a thing)  that will be the end. Foolish,for sure, but still within the realm of real truth.

I’d like to prove myself wrong about this. If for no other reason, than I am happiest when I am in that world of words and nothing else can penetrate – no undone task, no upcoming responsibility, no worry, no care...

See? There I go happily into that world, even with the clouds looming. Wouldn’t even care if I got rained on right now. (Okay, getting wet would not be a real great idea.)

Seems rain has become a theme lately. Besides posting that lead-in Haiku on Twitter the other day, I also recently posted:

Cloud Burst: A Haiku

It rained upon my

Parade of words today; they

Lie in turgid pool.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

Guess I’m really not fond of storms and wet weather, even though any moisture  is appreciated when you’ve lived in drought conditions for so long.

But enough about today’s flood in my front and back yard. Let’s talk about the torrent of words not flowing from my drought-stricken mind.

I keep thinking that maybe if I didn’t have so much to do (actually no more than anyone else) and less stuff to worry about (actually have less than a lot of people), I could concentrate more on my writing.

Well, that seems like a no-brainer. Did I mention interruptions? Someone just dropped a text message on my phone. Now I get to worry about who and what the message is. I can’t stop and check right now, because I‘m outside. I also can’t see my screen when I’m outside, but I don’t want to stop and go inside, let my eyes adjust to the dark and either check the message or lose it as I do frequently, and this isn’t even a Smartphone.

Now, where was I? Oh yes, the year is almost half over, and it has pretty much gone the way of the last one. I  pretty much still don’t get out much and don’t get anything done.

Every time I sit down to write or edit, I have to re-gather my papers and my thoughts. It’s far too long between sessions. It’s a good thing the I have a running synopsis now of what I have already written, so I don’t have to go back over the whole manuscript. But every such stop and start is time-consuming and not the best use of the time yet allotted to me.

I’m happy that Steve Hamm is now narrating my first “Black Oak” novel, so I have that release to look forward to. But any other releases are strictly up to me, and so is the advertising campaign I need to start working on.

I need more reviews for my books on Amazon, so I’m going to be heavily promoting that in June. Any of my readers, who have enjoyed my books, if you can, please post a review to Amazon. People do tend to pay attention to those, and I could certainly use a boost – you know –  like the Experian Cow on TV – BOOOOST!

Okay, I’m smiling now and the sun is still shining . I guess I’ll wrap this up before my parade gets rained on again and go and check that message I got.

Have a great June! See you again come July!

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Also, please feel free to visit me at my Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

 

Shingles Sux!

 

May 2021 Blog

Don’t ask me how I know... Okay, ask me.

 

Horror Personified: A Haiku

One body, wracked with

Pain, feeding upon itself –

Nature run amuck.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

My labor pains were not this bad, and at the end, I had a baby to show for it. This is ridiculous.

Among the things my mama never told me: if you have Chicken Pox, you will get Shingles.

Among the things I find unconscionable: Medicare will not pay for Shingles vaccine and the shots are expensive (two shots at $150-$175 each). What’s up with that? Shingles affects older people. Older people depend on Medicare. It should be covered.

Needless to say, I am now on a crusade for Shingles vaccinations. I’ve seen that one in three people will get Shingles in their lifetime. That’s way too high a number for a preventable disease.

And trust me, you do not want to get Shingles. I’ve had only a mild case, and I went to the doctor and got meds. It still hurts. It’s like extreme pain for no reason 24 hours a day.

I’m lucky we caught it as soon as the rash came up (and it actually came up all over my right hip in the middle of the night).

At 1:00 o’clock in the morning, I was on the computer googling rash and pain. Shingles popped right up at the head of the list. I had no clue until I saw it on the screen. Shingles it was. Good thing my doctor had an opening the next day, She gave me prescriptions to fight the virus and the nerve pain. Even with the meds, the pain is brutal.

Needless to say, I ‘ve not gotten much done in the writing department lately. So, I’ll have to rest on my laurels for a while longer. I’m still plodding along. Still managing my daily Haiku:

 

Obligations Rule: A Haiku

We can but plod on –

Wade through our troubles and pain –

Others count on us.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

Sorry for the short blog this month. Next month will be better.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Until next time, let us read and write to our heart’s content, all the while looking forward to enjoying our lives even more in the coming months. Let’s keep the faith.

Hard to believe that I have eleven books published, All are available on Amazon for your reading pleasure.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

BTW, Happy May Day! May this be the start of a bright new month and follow through for the rest of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Springs

 

April 2021 Blog

Well that worked!

 

My Choice: A Haiku

This day, to do as

I choose, is a rarity;

I choose to enjoy.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

One of those rare days I can do what I please. It pleases me. So, I’m writing this blog to announce the arrival of my newest Audible.com book, “The Seasons of Sam Rock”, narrated by the multi-talented Steven P. Hamm. A man who could easily be Sam Rock if this book were to me made into a movie.

It’s been a long journey and a steep learning curve for us both, but now; “It’s Alive!” (One of my favorite lines from the old Frankenstein movie.) Check it out: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Seasons-of-Sam-Rock-Audiobook/B08ZGV8VQF

     The only thing I’m not fond of with the coming of Spring is the “change”. (You know the one I’m talking about). Actually it happened the Sunday before Spring started, and I will miss that hour’s sleep until late Fall when we change back.

Every year there is talk about abolishing Daylight Savings Time, and every year the  motion falls by the wayside. I’m not in favor of DST. When I lived in Arizona, we didn’t change, and we survived just fine. Of course, in places like Phoenix, with days of 115° F you’d rather not save the daylight. The people navigate just fine in the cooler darkness.

But it is what it is, and we deal with it. I’ll just keep saying “But it’s only...” for a while until I get over it.

Spring also means new growth. I might even try to grow something this year, even though we are still in the midst of a drought. Surely a few herbs and flowers won’t soak up too much precious water. I’ve pretty much given up on grass. I think the gardener sprayed to kill off the mustard grass last year and killed everything else in the yard as well. So now we have a layer of dust blowing around the yard and nothing else.

Not only is it depressing to look at, it’s not good for the wiener dogs to breathe – or for us for that matter. Allergies are already getting bad this year.

The vultures came back to Roswell last month, and the parade of the smaller birds at our feeders has grown. I love to sit and watch their antics. I’ve learned so much in the past year. I know when they start making “kissy face” noises and bobbing their tails up and down it’s mating season. I know doves are not peaceful. They argue among themselves and others.  I know that male grackles feed their young – and way past the time they could fend for themselves. And if grackles peck long enough, they can break pecan shells open and eat the insides.

I love that I can sit there and watch their antics, and they don’t even pay any attention to me anymore, unless I make noise shuffling my papers or move around too much. Otherwise, we both just go about our business.

I’m afraid the squirrels have left the area or died out over the winter (although it was not a harsh winter). I’m not sure what has happened to them. We used to have as many as five at a time cavorting up and down the pecan tree. Lately, I’ve seen only one, and that one not at all in the last week or so. They will be missed.

I’m waiting for the hummingbirds to come back. There’s usually two or three that come through here when it turns warm, and they stay for most of the Summer. I try to keep a feeder with nectar filled for them. They are fascinating to watch and are very territorial. They tend to chase one another away from the feeder whether they are hungry or not.

Spring also means I can sit outside and write, so I should finish my WIPs in short order, barring other disruptions or demands on my time. I have high hopes anyway.

I’m two-thirds done with “The Secret of Raven’s Roost” which is still a working title. Also considering ”Return to Raven’s Roost”. Whatever I end up calling it, it will have “Raven’s Roost” in it.

Okay, my day is complete, I just saw my first ladybug in all the years I’ve been here. (about ten now) so I’m now sure this will be a good year.

On that note, I’ll wrap it up and let my dear husband type this. I’ll edit it tomorrow and post it on the 1^st of April.

Happy Spring, everyone.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Until next time, let us read and write to our heart’s content, all the while looking forward to enjoying our lives even more in the coming months. Let’s keep the faith.

Hard to believe that I have eleven books published, All are available on Amazon for your pleasure.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

I am so happy. This just popped up in my Twitter feed today: https://twitter.com/AuthorShout/status/1377582577930940420

 

 

 

 

 

Oops!

 

March 2021 Blog

Well that didn’t work!

 

Daylight: A Haiku

Sad – when the day shines

More brightly than I ever

Can hope to again.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

But then, it’s been a busy month – and short. And I’m not the brightest tack in the box lately – nor the sharpest bulb.

Most notably, I’ve had my second vaccine shot (Pfizer) and there were no noticeable side effects for either. One more week, and I should be immune.  My husband got his first (Moderna) and gets his second March 15^th. By the end of the month, we can both breathe more easily.

Also, our county is out of our state’s red zone and into the yellow, so more businesses will be reopened. Hope our favorite restaurant, Peppers’s Grill and Bar, makes a comeback. They will be sorely missed if they don’t. They are an institution around here.

The audio version of “The Seasons of Sam Rock” is inching ever more closely to being released. And my narrator, Steven P. Hamm has expressed an interest in doing my “Black Oak” novels, starting with “Town of Joy”. He’s done a preliminary chapterm and it’s just great. It helps to have a talented actor as narrator.

The Sam Rock sequel is inching ever closer to publication. Found that I really like the story behind “Raven’s Roost”, so I’ve been saving the changes I was contemplating for a third Sam Rock novel on how he got kicked off the police force. Spoiler alert – it wasn’t all his fault.

I continue to write (and post to Twitter and Facebook) my daily Haiku. That’s 2,614 Haiku (at least) since Jan. 1, 2014. I’m still going strong, although I’ve considered quitting a few times. I always seem to manage to crank out just one more.

March heralds the coming of Spring, and I’m starting to consider Spring cleaning. I would love to see everything bright and shiny and free of any chance of harboring the Covid-19 virus. I think we all deserve a new start this year, and Spring is a great time for renewal.

Still not planning any trips, nor considering visitors. I feel it’s just too risky. Although I shouldn’t be able to contract the virus, there’s no guarantee that I can’t carry it from something or someone I’ve touched.

You know, that’s really hard for a little old lady who’s used to hugging people. Doubt we’ll even regain the habit of shaking hands anymore. So sad, to feel you shouldn’t touch someone you love.

Hope all my readers and writer friends are doing well and survived what has turned out to be a horrendous winter of vicious cold and storms. I thought we were going to get through the season with only global warming to worry about. Looks like I was wrong. However, it is nice that we have a renewal of concern for the climate change emergency we are faced with. Hopefully, we get the Covid-19 crisis under control, so we can concentrate on alleviating the world-wide crisis.

Always so much to think about. Where do we start? There’s global and domestic hunger and homelessness. Then, there’s world-wide and domestic terrorism. So much unrest and dis-harmony everywhere. Hopeful here, there’s solutions to be found for more than one of our problems.

In the meantime, I’ll keep writing, if not to illuminate, then to entertain and allow an avenue for some escape for at least a little while.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Until next time, read and write to your heart’s content, all the while looking forward to enjoying our lives even more in the coming months. Let’s keep the faith.

Hard to believe that I have eleven books published, All are available on Amazon for your pleasure.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

 

 

 

 

I Hereby Resolve...

 

February 2021 Blog

Like all who put pen to paper, I would not be forgotten.

 

Writer’s Resolve: A Haiku

I would spread my words

Upon the ether so that

They might never die.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

 

I feel the need to share, so I'm thinking of posting short excerpts from my novels and poetry chapbooks  to my blog on a semi-weekly basis. I would say weekly, but I’m not sure I could keep up with that pace.

I’m inspired by Amanda             Gorman‘s presentation at the inaugural ceremony on January 20^th. She was brilliant. I consider her to be the new Maya Angelou. As James Corden said on his “Late Late Night” talk show, she has made poetry “cool” again.

So, I’ll start this month with an excerpt quoting Eldreth from “The Castleweaver’s Tales: A Dozen Glimpses of Medieval Madness”  25^TH Anniversary Edition.

Of course, Eldreth is a madman, so his contemplations could end in no other way. I love that he allows me to combine horror and the Medieval Time period with poetry. It makes me feel closer to one of my favorite poets, Edgar Allan Poe. Not that I’m anywhere near approaching his genius. But I plod on.

If I never achieve his acclaim, at least I know my words will abide in the ether as will his.  It is amazing that we live in an age where as authors, words may never die. Not something E. A. Poe could ever have imagined.

Finishing my WIP’s is taking me more time than I anticipated. The time never seems to open up to sit down and write. Guess I’ll just have to make more time somehow. Anybody know of a time stretcher?

I’d be obliged. Without one, I’ll just plod along as best I can and do what I can.

At least I’m not confronted by certain daily idiocies. I’m just biding my time until I can get an appointment for my vaccine. I’m in that 75+ age group, but the vaccine seems s to be in short supply here. Hope we all get ours soon.

As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

Until next time, read and write to your heart’s content, all the while looking forward to enjoying our lives even more in the coming months. Let’s keep the faith.

Hard to believe that I have eleven books published, All are available on Amazon for your pleasure.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky