Hello Escapees, want to catch up over coffee? That’s one of my favorite things to do with friends. Even though we can’t do it literally, we can do it virtually here at the blog. Thanks to Shantala over at Shanayatales, for starting this Catch Up Over Coffee theme. It’s just an informal chat designed to put a more personal slant on the blog.
I think after all that’s been going on it’s nice to take a deep breath and just talk. Shoot the breeze. So, grab your cup a joe. (Ironically, I wrote a similar post almost exactly a year ago Hello! Come On In, I’ll Put Coffee On I guess Shantala and I think alike).
What’s new: I really do loathe that question because people always ask it and when they do, I’m tongue tied. There was a time when everything was happening at once and it all was so new. That was during my divorce process and I honestly didn’t like the feeling of quick change and things being out of control. I used to envy my friends who led boring lives and by boring, I mean settled and happy. I used to say “boring is good” to anyone who would listen, especially my kids.
Truth is, these days I’ve settled into a really nice routine with my Beau. Could it be I’m one of those settled and happy people? We’ve lived together for 7 years. Wow. I can’t even believe that. So, there might not be a whole lot new, but it’s all good. I get my writing done usually in the mornings and sometimes late at night. I get some exercise in each day by walking, going for a run or going to yoga. My newest workout is Spin class. I have to talk myself into going though. I started with a goal of attending one spin class per week but just this week decided to up it to twice per week. We’ll see if that lasts.
Currently reading: I’m reading two books right now; Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. The first book is a historical romance and is the second in the Outlander series. Excellent but very detailed. Maya Angelou’s memoir is amazing. I’m reading this one on my Kindle. I tend to read ebooks in the middle of the night, just because I can. Margeurite (Maya) and Bailey keep me company in the middle of the night. Angelou’s writing is exceptional and delicious. It’s simultaneously humorous and heartbreaking. Do you read more than one book at a time?
Oh and I received in the mail yesterday, two copies of a brand new book titled Collateral Damage Guiding and Protecting Your Child Through the Minefield of Divorce by Dr. John T. Chirban. I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in reading and providing an honest review on my blog. I was delighted to. (It is not for any compensation). Keep your ears open for my upcoming review. I will hopefully be finished it by the end of the month and have a review and book giveaway in December.
Currently writing: I am still pondering a few plot changes in one of my short stories. I just finished editing my Best of The Great Escape Blog-a divorce companion. I have consolidated the best of my blog posts and combined them into what promises to be the perfect ebook companion to my original book, The Great Escape; A Girl’s Guide To Leaving A Marriage. I’m very excited about it. It is actually shocking how much writing I have done here in the last five years. Currently the e-book is over 40,000 words and that’s with only half of my written posts. It will be available on Amazon in the new year.
Looking forward to: Christmas with the kids, decorating my apartment and Christmas baking. I’m most looking forward to my Beau and I’s first tropical vacation in five years. We are still planning it and looking into vacation packages to the Big Island. If any of you have recently been to the Big Island, I would love to hear where you stayed, what you did!
Feeling grateful for: My health and physical abilities. This time last year, I was so sick I couldn’t get off the couch for a whole week. Almost everyday I tell my body thank you for taking me out for a run, getting fresh ocean air on the beach and being able to stretch and hold strong warrior poses at yoga class. Without my health I would have nothing.
I took this pic by accident. I was holding my phone while walking home from yoga on a cloudy Saturday. I like the weird angle, the clouds and the tree peeking to the right. Grateful for yoga. I breathe through those nostrils… haha
As always, I am also grateful for our friendships here at The Great Escape. Getting to know you and your blogs has really been a blessing in my life. Hearing from people who I’ve helped with my words always makes me smile with gratitude. Your support and kind words are always appreciated. Finding your comments is like getting a warm hug.
Remembering: Leonard Cohen. Last week, our famous Canadian poet, songwriter and singer Leonard Cohen passed away. This prompted me to revisit all of his music. One of his most famous albums was Famous Blue Raincoat. He actually saved money to buy a blue, Burberry raincoat when he lived in London and that’s where the title came from (if that is actually true). Later, in the 80’s the album Famous Blue Raincoat, featuring Jennifer Warnes singing Cohen’s chosen songs, was released to critical acclaim (that sounds cheesy but it is a fact). But his work began in the 60’s.
I had never owned an album of his until the 90’s when I was intrigued with his song, “Closing Time”. I bought the CD, The Future and had it in our stereo for the rest of the decade, it seemed. It was 1992 and my baby daughter was only a few months old. This album will always bring back memories of my new motherhood experience. I’ve put it on this past weekend and appreciate Cohen’s words all over again. It’s like no time has passed since he penned those songs. They’re timeless like him. Of course, he is most famous for his song Hallelujah.
Tell me, what are you up to? What are you reading or writing now? Are you looking forward to something right now and are you grateful today?
Links: Dragonfly In Amber, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, ShanayaTales, #ChattyBlogs , Hallelujah
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Jess @UsedYorkCity
November 29, 2016 at 7:41 amOh I love these kind of posts, Lisa! 7 years, MASSIVE kudos to you and your beau!!! I’m also looking forward to the holidays, spending time with people I don’t see nearly enough (my parents and siblings), and making memories with them:-)
lisa
November 29, 2016 at 3:45 pmHi Jess, thank you! Actually we were together long distance for 3 years prior to shacking up 😀 That sounds like a lovely holiday plan, Jess! Enjoy. I loved you last post on NY Holiday to do’s…beautiful!
Mi Muba
November 24, 2016 at 7:49 amHi Lisa
Living miles and miles away with a quite change culture here I found myself exactly into all happening around you just because your shared your views in such an upfront way that nothing looks to me strange.
I know you guys are enjoying your vacation time with lot of cultural festivities and surely this is the best time for your to see what you have done and what you are going to do next.
I would be looking forward to your ebook and would get back to read your review.
Many thanks for sharing this lovely post and coffee was super nice indeed.
Have a great holiday season.
lisa
November 24, 2016 at 3:37 pmThanks, Mi Muba! Nice of you to join me here for a cuppa 🙂
Jane Thrive
November 23, 2016 at 4:17 pmThanks so much for posting your catch up over coffee!! Love to hear about your new writing projects and definitely looking forward to the book review. <3
I'm still dealing with winter timesharing blues, but hopefully the end will be in sight soon. Le sigh.
Otherwise, I'm super thankful to be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family and friends who are coming tomorrow! Yippee!!!
lisa
November 24, 2016 at 3:37 pmThanks so much, Jane! Timesharing is always a hard thing. It gets easier as they get older though. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family! It sounds delicious.
Charlotte
November 22, 2016 at 8:44 pmI just adore stopping in here–to me it always does feel like catching up with an old friend <3
Oh! I forgot all about this leonard song! It's a wonderful one. There are so many I love, I think my favorite is take this waltz–his voice, so dreamy. He'll be missed :*(
I have a hard time reading more than one book at a time but am always in awed of those who can.
PS–that picure of you is stunning. I always find the mistakes are the best!
lisa
November 24, 2016 at 3:35 pmAw, thank you Charlotte! So glad you’re a Leonard Cohen fan as well and i have someone to commiserate the loss with. Take this Waltz…I must listen again! He was so unique. My kids bought me his books of poetry a few years ago and now I’ll re-read. ha, that picture is kind of weird but I kind of like the angle—an interesting mistake. Nice to have coffee with you, Charlotte!
Marie Kléber
November 22, 2016 at 2:04 amThat was the perfect timing Lisa – I just grabbed a coffe and it’s fabulous to read you. It’s a time I love, catching up with friends.
Nothing new except that life is easy and funny these days (after all the trouble of divorce, difficult news to take in, impatience, I feel like breathing again).
If I am reading two books – it happens – one has to be in French and the other in English. I just finished “the girl on the train” (tough read). I’d love to read Maya Angelou…She is such an inspiring Lady.
I am in process of creating a redbubble shop with cards and notebooks, mixing my photos and my words. It’s a new project I enjoy doing.
I am grateful for you and all my blogging friends, for my health and my family wellbeing, for wonderful surprises in my mailbox and christmas decoration, for happy moments and peace in our hearts.
Glad to hear all about your writing projects! Keep going! You are awesome!
Love from Paris…xoxo
lisa
November 22, 2016 at 3:50 pmHi Marie, thanks for joining me for coffee 🙂 This: “Nothing new except that life is easy and funny these days…” That’s a sign that you’ve made it to the other side. Nothing much new is a good thing. Your redbubble shop sounds fantastic. I’d like to hear more about that. Your gratitude list is wonderful. I’m grateful for you, too Marie! xoxo
Tamara
November 21, 2016 at 9:10 pmI wish I could listen to “Closing Time” right now but everyone is asleep! I could sneak my phone downstairs..
I haven’t been on a warm, tropical vacation with Cassidy.. EVER! I need to do that soon.
I love “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” I was just thinking about it yesterday.
lisa
November 22, 2016 at 3:47 pmHi Tamara, you’ll have to listen to that song later, loud 🙂 Time for a tropical vacay!! Yes, this book is eye opening and I’m wondering why it took me so long to read one of her books.
Mabel Kwong
November 21, 2016 at 2:12 amLovely to catch up with you, Lisa. I hope you and your Beau have a good holiday to the Big Island. Never too early to start planning and dreaming, and I am sure the two of you will feel loved up and enjoy yourselves 🙂
Congrats on your new book coming along. It is amazing, and 40,000 words is a lot of words. Good luck with finishing it. It must feel surreal, but when you look back you realise how hard you worked and how productive you are 🙂
These days I am taking it easy and have put my book on the backburner. I’ve been out and about exploring with my camera in hand, and it never really is a dull moment when you are visiting a new place 🙂
lisa
November 22, 2016 at 10:38 amThank you, Mabel! It will feel great to get The Icing On The Cake finalized 😀 The Best of the Blog is close to ready for formatting. Sometimes a break is what you need to refresh on a writing project. Photography is a great hobby to compliment the creative process. Enjoy!!
Chrys Fey
November 20, 2016 at 2:00 pmI’m so happy that you’ll be coming out with “Best of The Great Escape Blog.” I want to do something like that with my blog. 🙂
lisa
November 22, 2016 at 10:32 amThanks, Chrys! It’s really stunning how much writing is put into a blog. You should definitely consider it for your own best of blog, Chrys. It would make a phenomenal ‘writing companion’ 🙂
Bren Pace
November 20, 2016 at 10:34 amHey Lisa,
Is it alright that I bring my cup of Pepsi instead? 🙂 I love when you write posts like this. I have to say, I’m glad you and your beau are happy. Lord knows you deserve it, girl. I hope you post pics of your apartment decorated for the holidays! Wishing you and yours a Merry merry ones!
B
lisa
November 20, 2016 at 1:31 pmHey Bren, oh, Pepsi sounds tasty, too although I’m a coffee addict 😉 Sure will post a couple of pics. I’m just getting it organized now. Merry one to you, too and Happy Thanksgiving!!
My Inner Chick
November 20, 2016 at 7:32 am“Chat over coffee.”
I might use that. LOVE IT! Thank you for the idea, Lisa))!!
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is one of my fave. books.I’ve read and listened to all of Maya’s books. She usually reads them herself w/ that beautiful, syrupy voice.
Yes, I read two books at a time, but they need to be in different places. For example, my car, on a Kindle, or a real book!
I just ordered Carly Simon’s book.
Also, I’m waiting for A Man Called Ov.
Grateful for my FAMILY, words, friends, cats, & YOU! xxxx
lisa
November 20, 2016 at 1:30 pmI hope you do, Kim. Chat over coffee would work well with your blog! 🙂 Listening probably would have enriched the story, if that is even possible. It is beautiful and eye opening. I love Carly Simon and would be interested in that one. Is it her memoir? Thank you so much Kim and back at you, my friend!!
Marcia @ Menopausal Mother
November 18, 2016 at 5:31 pmI love the way you did this post–like a chat over coffee. It’s very cozy! How do you like spin class? I’m totally intimidated by it—I know it’s a super hard workout. But I’m addicted to Zumba—I go five times a week and I never get bored.
lisa
November 19, 2016 at 10:01 amHi Marcia, thanks for joining me for a coffee 😀 Spin is really challenging and sweaty plus your butt can get a little tender haha. One good thing is you can self pace and don’t have to put the tension up as high as the instructor…that is NOT cheating 😉 Zumba? Oh, that is a fun workout! Good for you. I went as a guest with a friend a few times and really enjoyed it.
Balroop Singh
November 18, 2016 at 5:29 pmHi Lisa,
What a wonderful cup of coffee that was! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
At present I am visiting my younger daughter and would be celebrating Thanks-giving with her and her lovely family.
I am reading two books, an old classic by D.H. Lawrence – ‘The Rainbow and ‘The light between Oceans’ by M. L.Stedman. I love my Kindle though I weaned myself away slowly from thick paperbacks. There was a time I loved to hold a real book and resisted the Kindle attraction.
I am in a holiday mood though my next projects are almost ready 🙂 I must get back to them ASAP…everyday I remind myself!
Have a wonderful weekend dear friend.
lisa
November 19, 2016 at 9:59 amHi Balroop, thank you for sharing your personal update. Your upcoming visit with your daughter and her family sounds wonderful and festive! I haven’t read that particular D.H. Lawrence book. Let me know what you think. The second book you mention is a movie out in theatres now, I believe. I’ve heard good things! I love my kindle, too. I also still love to hold a book and know that the battery won’t run out 😉 I hate when my kindle turns a page before I’ve finished reading it because I bumped it with my thumb. Also, I like to feel how far in I am and how much further until the end. That’s one thing missing in an ebook. Although it has a percentage in the bottom corner, it isn’t the same as the tactile.
I look forward to hearing about your next projects, Balroop! Thanks for joining me for a coffee 🙂