October Lately

, on

October 22, 2022

October Lately Welcome spooky, October…looks like me trying to come up with a brilliant blog post…

Well, September came and went in a flash. I didn’t write one post here and that is a first for me. I have never gone a whole month without writing something here. Should this concern me? I remember the early days of my blogging back in 2011-12 and I didn’t understand bloggers who would take long, unexpected breaks but now I do. They had been in the game for several years and eventually, we change. Our interests change. Although writing is a constant, we don’t always share everything because we’re not certain our regular readers will be interested.

In any case, here we are shoulder deep into October. Thought I’d get caught up with you guys by writing a LATELY post. Where have I been and what have I been up to? Also, please let me know where you’ve been and what you’ve been up to in the comments.

Let’s get started with October Lately;

Listening To

Roy Orbison, “Crying” and Sam Cooke, “Cupid” among others on my “Old Soul” playlist on Spotify.

Kate Bush, “Running Up That Hill” because who isn’t after watching the last season of Stranger Things? and Sinead O’Conner, “What Doesn’t Belong to Me” after watching the HBO documentary on this courageous woman. And many others on “The Wine Diaries” playlist on Spotify.

My own voice. More and more, tuning into my intuition.

Reading

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

Guys, I’m embarrassed to say that I shelved this book when I was 3/4 way through. I left it for almost a year. Picked it up in July with determination. I’m amazed at the author’s writing. She has a way of putting you right in the action. Her detail is outstanding. However, sometimes I feel a bit bogged down by the detail. I’m down to reading about three pages before I fall asleep. So, I’m on page 898 and who knows when I’ll finish it. This is the fourth book in the “Outlander” series.

Welcome to Charm by Tonya Penrose

I’m reading this lovely book on my kindle and I’m close to finishing. I absolutely adore it. Highly recommend. It is a well written but uncomplicated book with a powerful message. I’m anxious to finish it as I’m rooting for Abby’s happy ending.

Watching

Honestly, it’s been a pretty dry time for television shows. However I have discovered a few on Netflix and HBO that I’m enjoying.

“Hacks” on HBO, starring Jean Smart. I just love her. She is amazing in this show about an aging stand- up comedian, running out her Vegas stint with stale material. It’s hilarious and dramatic. She won an Emmy award for this role.

“Sex Education” is a brilliant British show that centers around a high school. While I expected it to be very adolescent, it is far from it. Plus, Gillian Anderson plays a sex therapist, raising a teen son as a single mom. Freud would love the mother/son dynamic and all of its complications. There are just so many rich characters. You can find that on Netflix.

“Moonshine” is a brand new show about a family with aging, hippy parents who have been running a campground called Moonshine. None of the adult children want to take it over now that mom and dad want to retire and enjoy their lives. This is a Canadian, CBC Gem, so not sure if it’s available in the US but if it is, I recommend. There’s nothing deep about this show, but it’s good for a laugh—something we can all use.

“The Haunting of Hill House” Season 1 because tis the season for scary. Also, this was my second viewing and I picked up on subtle details I had missed the first go round in 2018. It’s based on a Shirley Jackson novel which I’m d y i n g to read (pardon the pun :P).

Doing

Making Videos

This time I’m sharing my handmade journals. I love to watch journal flip-throughs and thought it would be fun to share my own finished journals. So if you’re a journal lover, you might want to check it out on my youtube channel. I have to say that it has been a bit time consuming as the editing is a finnicky process. I’ll have to get better at doing the flip-throughs so I don’t have to edit! Ha.

Making Journals

Instead of buying a new one, I decided to make my own Traveler’s Notebook sized journals from all of my existing supplies. I use old file folders (cut to size) as the covers, then fill it with colored (blank) papers, and stitch them together with waxed linen thread. I plan to invest in a TN cover to slide the journal into. It will be convenient because I can take them on trips. I have also just finished an altered book ‘brain dump’ journal. Before that I had a Moleskine. Loved the pages in that book, so nice to write on. I have tried to upload a short video to show you these last two examples (especially the altered book journal) but for some reason it wouldn’t work. So, I’ll have to post a youtube video of those. Below are the TN sized notebooks I made from my scrap materials:

handmade TN size notebooks, all upcycled materials

This is what the book looked like in its original state. Title, Words to Inspire. Found it in the sale bin and have LOVED using this as my ‘daily’ journal.

Seeing old friends

I just attended my 40th high school reunion last Saturday. What a blast it was, too. It’s like going into a time machine and we’re all kids again. My close girlfriends I haven’t seen in four years, due to Covid and travel bans. So when we reunited it was sweeter than ever. And, I have to say, we all partied like it was 1982. Lots of laughing and singing. The slide show of random photos, paired with “Teenage Wasteland” was funny, nostalgic and touching. We have lost several classmates in the last five years and so it was bittersweet. I think as time passes us by we become more appreciative of our time together that was so brief yet so impactful.

Writing!

I’ve been finishing my first draft of my novel, Daughter of the Moon. I’m so happy to be digging into it again. It’s been sitting in my desk drawer for a few months and it was weighing on me to get back into it. So, I did and I’m loving it.

My sketch of my MC, Joele Frey, in Daughter of the Moon. I like to sketch my characters. Their faces keep me on task.

Do you believe in serendipity?

I do. I was debating whether my MC, Joele, would take a trip to Paris after her mother dies. I wondered if it was cliche or if I could make it work. Then around that same time, I was on a walk with my hubs and we passed one of those ‘free library’ book stand. They look a bit like an old mailbox, but with a glass panel so you can peek in and see the books without opening it up. Well, there was a book on French food and wine written by a comedic author. It was a sign. Then about a month later, I’m at the library perusing non-fiction and what do I see? In Paris: 20 Women on Life in the City of Light. Um. Another sign! Well, it was clear that Joele was going to Paris. At least I would write that chapter and then decide later on if it works.

Quote for thought:

Everything we have lived and loved, questioned and lost, is a part of who we are. – Teresa Stargardener, Right Brain Planner

What are you up to?

spooky image source: Photo by Edilson Borges on Unsplash

lately/life/reading/writing

18 Comments

Mabel Kwong
December 7, 2022 at 2:17 am
It sounds like you have been up to life in October. I can totally relate to not blogging for a stretch of time. As time has gone on, I feel like living in the moment comes first and then blogging. Blogging for a long time, it’s so easy to fall into blogging fatigue.’ That is wonderful you make journals by upcycling materials that you have. Very thoughtful and productive all round.

It is nice to catch up with others you haven’t seen in a while. No too long ago I caught up with some high school classmates I haven’t seen, well, since high school. We picked up where we left off and it was a good time. Hope you are well, Lisa 😊
- lisa
  December 8, 2022 at 10:12 am
  Hi Mabel, nice to see you, as ever. YES, October was great. Now, already December! Blogging fatigue is a real thing. I love making journals and using up my scrap or recycled materials. It does feel better than creating more waste 😀
  It’s amazing how our old friends we grew up with we fall right back into step with. Stay well, Mabel. I will pop over and see what you’re up to!
Marie Kléber
November 15, 2022 at 5:10 am
So nice to read you Lisa! Time is running and we have to take the most of it. Can’t agree more with the old blogging stuff, at some stage I used to write every day and now I can connect only twice a month! Maybe our priorities are different too.
Great for your new novel – can’t wait you tell us more about it. Love the title BTW. An I’ll make sure to visit your youtube channel soon too.
Stay well Lisa
- lisa
  November 15, 2022 at 11:51 am
  Thanks, Marie! Good to see you. Yeah, I think life stuff just takes over. Also, writing in different areas and not only blogging makes a difference in taking up that time. Thanks for your interest in my upcoming novel. I’m very enthused about it, but it is still a ways away from editing.
  Stay well, Marie. See you soon. xx
ShootingStarsMag
October 26, 2022 at 12:38 pm
That’s great you had a wonderful time at the reunion and could catch up with some friends. I haven’t been watching tons, but that’s pretty normal for me. I tend to read more than I watch TV. I do really like the shows FBI and FBI: Most Wanted though.

-lauren
- lisa
  October 26, 2022 at 5:31 pm
  Hi Lauren, so nice to see you! The reunion was better than I imagined. You’re wise to read more than watch…I should be more that way 🙂 FBI Most Wanted is so good!
Kevin S
October 24, 2022 at 4:09 pm
SDSS reunion was indeed a blast. I was so intrigued to discover how those who shared the same halls and experiences in the 70’s and 80’s evolved and are now situated. Those wondering about whether to attend your high school reunion – if you’re ready to take an interest in others – you are ready to have a great time. I loved every minute – including being introduced, Lisa, to your blogosphere.
- lisa
  October 24, 2022 at 4:46 pm
  Hi Kevin! So nice you popped in 😀 It was a great night. Went by so quickly though! Yes, the halls were everything then—who, what, where, when. HA! You are so right, it’s fascinating to see where everyone is now. The whole night is a bunch of small conversations and I wish we had more time. Aw, thank you, Kevin. It was great to see your smiling face there and here. Cheers, my friend.
LA CONTESSA
October 24, 2022 at 7:45 am
WE LOVED HACKS!
I find it difficult to find good movies and series on TV anymore!There is such an abundant amount to choose from but yet they do not draw me in!
I only write three at most blog posts a month usually two………….I am at the time in my life where I have been doing this too long!Or I need to find NEW BLOGS TO FOLLOW!The evolution of the blogs and the ADS and the selling is driving me NUTS!I HATE THEM.YOU get interrupted they cover the screen you are constantly looking for the X to get rid of them………….and most that I follow is a template and its the same over and over again they fill in with a new topic.
YOU ARE NOT LIKE THAT!
ANYWAY sounds like you are making progress in the world of writing and reading!!!
Good on YOU!
XXX
- lisa
  October 24, 2022 at 2:09 pm
  Isn’t it great! I’m about to start Season 2. I agree. So hard to find good new shows.
  I think two blog posts a month is excellent. That’s what I strive for. OMG< the ads on some of the blogs are atrocious. I click out pretty much right away. No, I don't bother with ads on my site. Yuck. They are distracting and don't pay much anyway. I want my visitors to enjoy their time here. 🙂 Thank you, LA CONTESSA. So nice to see you here!
DGKaye
October 23, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Well you have been a busy beaver Lis. Usually when us writers disappear from blogland there is a lot going on, which seems to be the case in many of our lives. Good on you for all you’re accomplishing. Great idea with the journals, and yes I certainly do believe in serendipity. You go girl! xxx
- lisa
  October 23, 2022 at 5:46 pm
  Ha! A bit. SO true, Deb. That has been the case here. Thanks, Debby. I knew you would be a believer! 🙂
Tamara
October 22, 2022 at 4:22 pm
Yes, I certainly do believe in serendipity! And I get it – I totally used to feel the same way about people taking breaks. I just couldn’t relate. They would come back and then even those occasional visits got down to nothing. That said, that doesn’t mean it will happen to you. And sometimes real, waking life just matters and it’s nice to be in it.
I’m always afraid to take a break because then I think it would be a slippery slope down. I hate that loss of control feeling. But probably, it would be just fine and I’d come back when ready!
I haven’t lost any high school classmates yet but I know that day will come.
- lisa
  October 22, 2022 at 6:36 pm
  Yay to Serendipity with a capital ‘S’. OMG, exactly. I was so passionate about my writings on my blog. Now I’m still passionate about my writing but don’t have the same purpose as I did in the beginning…I think. Tamara, you of all bloggers would be just fine after an unexpected ‘break’. You have a terrific social media presence and huge following. I don’t see that changing regardless. But the pressure is there, right? You’re juggling so much and making a success of it all!
Jeff
October 22, 2022 at 2:26 pm
It does sound like you were busy. My 40th High School graduation was a few years ago (I’m 3 years from 50, how did that happen). It was interesting and there is a new divide in the class that’s more political than anything else.
- lisa
  October 22, 2022 at 6:32 pm
  Hi Jeff, do you mean 3 years from 6-0? Hehe, I can say same…WHAT? Interesting about the politics. There wasn’t any of that at my reunion. Hm. But you say it was a few years ago, and the political climate was (is) pretty heated there. Too bad people let that interfere with a social event.
Chrys Fey
October 22, 2022 at 10:13 am
You’ve been doing a lot. That’s great!

Honestly, I don’t worry anymore whether or not visitors to my blog will be interested in what I share there. What matters is if I’m interested in it. If I share what I’m interested in, the right people will come and see it. 🙂 I know what I’ve blogged this year has been very different from past years and that some may not like it all. At the same time, I am loving my blog even more now. 🙂

Happy Autumn, Lisa!
- lisa
  October 22, 2022 at 10:24 am
  Thanks, Chrys. Oh, you make such a good point! That is so true, and I need to not worry about that and just SHARE. I enjoy the variety of topics you share on your blog. Some really great awareness pieces, too! You don’t blog as much as before (same as me) but when you do, they are certainly excellent, well thought out posts. That is so amazing to hear, Chrys, that you’re loving your blog even more. I think that’s where I need to get to. So nice to see you here xx Happy Autumn to you, too!