As the fire crackles and the pines crack!

Here we go again, but this time it's ice. I live in the south. For pity's sake where did the southern weather go? As I sit at my dining room where I've set up my laptop so that I can work, I hear the crackling of the fire in the den. But behind me is a set of french doors that lead onto our back patio, from there you hear the snap, crackle, and pop of the pine trees that can't hold the weight of the building ice. I did venture out earlier to grab some paperwork from my office and I could actually smell fresh pine. It's like I was walking into a room with a pine air freshener. I love snow, but not ice. Ice is dangerous and usually cause massive power outages. Luckily at the moment we have power, but it's flickered a couple of times. Even northerners have to say ice is different than snow to deal with. When we had snow a couple of weeks ago, people were still on the roads a little bit, but when you have ice it's eerily quiet. Of course the cold has brought out the beautiful red birds. I love to watch them as they poke around for a bit of food. I've got to admit the ice on the trees is beautiful, but the danger still looms. I'm staying inside for now and hoping for the best. As for my writing, I made some large headway last night on finishing up "Faith Through The Tears". I actually powered through almost 5000 words as the story unfolded in my head. I'm so excited about this installment to the "Lean On Him" Christian Series. Of course I'm working steadily on my other works in progress. It's fun to be a writer and get to live in so many different worlds with my characters. One moment I'm in a small town and the next I'm on a horse ranch or maybe I'm on a beach in Savannah. I get to experience so much diversity through my characters and they become a part of me. It's an awe inspiring experience. I do hope that all of you are warm and safe. Also a shout out to my friends across the pond as you're experiencing really scary winds. I send my prayers for everyone to stay safe. Bundle up with a good book and ride out the storm in another world. As for me, as long as I have power I'll be working on accounting, but if the power goes out I have several books and plenty of paper. The work will go on by candle light which could bring on a whole new inspiration. As always, good writing and may God Bless You and keep you safe...

Summer is now a Memory, Bring on Fall

Well, the shorts are packed up and safely in the attic until the sun warms the land again. The sweaters and jackets are washed and put in the closet ready to take on the cold winter air. The fireplace insert is cleaned and ready for the first crackling fire that may come today. The fire wood is stacked on the back patio where the pool supplies stood just last week. It’s finally Fall in Georgia and it’s beautiful.

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I’ve planted pansies and mum to keep the color splash as the cool night bring on the orange, yellow, red and brown leaves. Soon the only color will be the blue skies and the mums and pansies. The leaves will fall away and the trees will hibernate and replenish waiting on Spring. The sun comes up later and descends early. The nights are longer, but cozy by the fire.

It’s time to bring out the hot chocolate and marshmellows. It’s time to sit outside by the chimnea and watch as the fire sparkles bright yellow, orange and red. Oh what a wonderful time to be alive.

It’s also a wonderful time to curl up with a good book or with a unfinished manuscript. I’m always inspired when the air grows cool. Amazingly enough, most of my work is done during the cooler time of the year. Even as I sit with my coffee and still warm cinnamon roll twists this morning I’m drawn to my latest work. I just feel creative this morning. Too bad I have clothes to wash, bathrooms to clean and floors to mop, but they will wait until possibly after lunch.

So as always, good writing and May God Bless You…