What does that even mean? Yes, I know it has something to do with shooting craps. Why would anyone want to shoot crap? And how did craps get that name anyway? My brain very closely resembles a hamster on a wheel at the moment. But then, it IS Monday. What can I say? Other than this is the stuff that keeps me awake at night…
We’ve moved on to partial lockdown around here. All the smart people stayed home. All the stupid people got out–and they’ve all forgotten how to drive. I’m hoping that just maybe this is Karma’s way of playing Darwin and cleaning up the gene pool. I still wear a mask when I get out, which isn’t that often. I have mentioned that life pre-Covid wasn’t all that different, right? Speaking of partial openings, STARBUCKS DRIVE-THRU IS OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!! Starbucks is my reward for getting stuff marked off my writing to-do list. It’s also my nudge-the-Muse trip out into the world. Maybe, since I have incentives now, I’ll stay on track.
Speaking of writing, I finished a short story (can’t be longer than 5,000 words) and submitted it to an open call. Basically, if I’m picked, the story goes into an anthology of 20 stories that will be featured in the publisher’s newsletter as a free read, and on a 3-month limited free run. Then the anthology comes down and the rights revert to the author. I’m doing this for a couple of reasons: 1) I’d love to get my foot in the door and be invited to submit a full novella/short novel for publication (it’s my understanding that it IS by invitation only), and 2) if nothing else, it opens up my work to a HUGE number of new readers. I can’t lose. I plan to take INTO THE NIGHT and turn it into a Nightrider novella, much like I did with REMEMBER THE NIGHT, which was originally a 10K story written for an RWA anthology. I made it all the way through to the very final cut and then realized I was glad I’d been cut because Lucky and Gemma deserved a full story. Anyway, I find out August 14 so fingers crossed. 🤞
In reading news, I have a big ol’ sad because I finished Jennifer Estep’s CRUSH THE KING, which is the final book in her Crown of Shards trilogy. LOVED IT! I’m singing that. LovelovelovedITTTTT. Loved all the three books. Loved the characters. Loved the plot. Loved the world. It’s fantasy. With a kickass heroine. A sexy love interest. Magic. Gladiators. Intrigue. Plots and secrets and…and…it’s amazing. Go forth and check it out if that’s your catnip. Listened to a couple of books from the library. Eh. Glad I got them from the library.
TV is still mostly blah. Except LIVE PD is back to 3 hours! Yayay! I know. I’m rolling my eyes at myself. You don’t have to do it for me.
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. It was quiet around here. We did “break” quarantine to meet the Kids (Only, Baseball Boy, and Stormy) at our favorite Mexican restaurant on Saturday night. They’ve opened for limited dining room service and we went early to make sure we got in. I ❤ that place so much! It's our "First Saturday" routine back when life was normal. The first Saturday of the month, after siren test, we'd all meet for lunch. Yum! Anyway, we'd all missed it and we all ate waaay too much. 🌮🐖 Totally worth it!
Sadly, there's not a whole lot else going on in my world. I'm hoping to get back in a serious writing groove starting this week. I'm hoping me and mine remain healthy. Only is back in her office part time but Baseball Boy is mostly out of school and the state's school athletic organization hasn't made a determination about summer baseball. Stormy does start soccer in a week or so. Spectators will have to socially distance and it's advised to wear masks but hey! Sunshine and "kids swarm" soccer. Yay! At this point, I'll take whatever sports I can get!
What about y'all? Any good, bad, or ugly going on in your world? This inquiring mind wants to know. In the meantime, stay safe and stay healthy. Do what you can, can the rest, and get on with life. Have a great week!
Silver James 
Yeah, never played craps, so no clue. I think 7 and 11 are desired numbers or something. I could google it, but I’m meh. Yay for Starbucks being open for you. I know it’s part of your process. Fingers crossed your story makes the cut. It’s an awesome story. Sorry the series you were reading ended. :hugs: No eyes rolling here. I’m as excited as you are for Live PD to return to normal. It’s a glimmer of hope that other things will return to normal soon, too. Yay for getting to do your Saturday eat-out routine. Yay for getting back into a writing groove – which I know you will do. And yay for Stormy’s soccer!
Here? Same same. The good, the bad, and the ugly haven’t changed much. This was supposed to be the day Mom went back to the office, but Nitwit-mer extended the BS in Michigan through the end of the month, so we’ll see. Mom’s about had it with trying to work from home, so we’ll see if she rebels. It’s not like she has any contact with non-family humans at the office, other than the mailman and the UPS guy. I’ll be going out to the bank and the Dollar General. Our bank’s lobby is finally open again, so I can see my BFF without having to talk through the drive-thru window. Probably no hugs yet, but still. Yay.
Progress! Every few steps forward is a win in my book. I’m watching the numbers here, statistics nerd that I am.
I looked it up, read about 2 lines, my brain refused to brain so I clicked the tab closed. 😝 Woke up to rain this morning. Hoping that and caffeine works magic on the words.
Glad you get to see your BFF! Even without the hugs. Sometimes, ya just gotta talk face-top-face, ya know?
Fingers crossed the country gets back on its feet soon. And if your mom gets arrested, we’ll make sure she gets on the news! ❤ Here's to a productive week for us all! And now I need more coffee.