Monday, December 9, 2024

Tuesday Tidbits: LIFE UPDATE

 I’ve been fencing!

Public Domain, Wiki Commons

 Not that kind. This kind.

 

 

Let me back up to explain my absence. The past few months have been rough. In August, my husband passed away suddenly.

 


He collapsed and was gone quickly. I was a complete wreck. If not for my family, I don’t know what I would have done. They helped me get finance things figured out—my husband had done all that stuff.

This is a glass heart with his ashes swirled in it.

 

All too soon everyone had to go back to their own lives, and I had to cope on my own. That’s when I started building the fence my hubby and I planned. He had purchased the metal posts and used fence panels. I dug holes and cemented in posts, then put up panels. It was a bit wobbly to move the panels across the yard with the wheelbarrow, but I managed. It was good to have something to focus on.

 

First panel up.

 


First panel on the other end up-ish.

 

Making progress.

 

My makeshift barrier on the side of the house to keep the deer out.

 

I finally got enough panels up to stretch some chicken wire I have across the opening,

but it wasn’t quite long enough, so I improvised with a slide and a birdbath.

 

This is who I’m trying to keep out along with their droppings.

They each took their turn to look through the chicken wire.

I think they were a little confused.

 

Closing the gap. No longer need the slide and birdbath.

 

Just one more post to cement in on the side, then create a gate from that middle panel.

 

My dwindling piles of panels. Ah, progress feels good.

 

The completed back fence.

Now the deer must stay out and my grandchildren will stay in and can run freely.

 

I have also done a bunch of work inside the house. I built some DVD shelves and unpacked boxes, filling up those shelves.

 

The house felt void with no other heartbeat but my own, so I adopted a dog from a shelter. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.

 





Shelby is a Carolina Dog mix. She’s between 10 and 12 months old, full of energy, loves tug-o-war, and needs to learn some manners. We have started obedience classes.

 

I have started having my granddaughters over again. They miss their grandpa.

 

We’ve also had three birthdays this fall, and my son hosted for Thanksgiving. It was great!

 

I hosted a writers retreat with my two critique partners. I also released my late cousin’s novel that I heavily edited. It was mostly ready to go, just needed to upload it and figure out the cover stuff.

A couple of days ago, I repaired my oven. My husband had gotten the part but not put it in yet. The problem was, I didn’t know where he put it. I went on a search and finally found it. So, I baked cookies to celebrate!


I hope to get back into the swing of things with my writing after the first of the year.

 

For now, I have Christmas presents to wrap.

 

Blessings,

Mary

    =0)

 

UNPUZZLING THE PAST

1990s Cozy Mystery

Written by Mary L. Chase, Edited By Mary Davis


When secrets and lies are uncovered, will Mar be able to put the pieces together to learn the truth? A year after her mom’s death, Margaret “Mar” Ross discovers the proverbial skeleton in the closet. Most families have a secret or two. Some are best left in the dark. Others need to be brought into the light of day to heal old wounds. With the help of her best friend, a lawyer, and a handsome doctor, Mar is determined to hunt down all the facts. When she does, will she find what she’s searching for? Or should she let this puzzle R.I.P.?

https://books2read.com/u/bpkj6l


MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR, THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Quilting Circle 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament,Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.
Mary lives in Colorado with her new Carolina dog. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

 

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Tuesday Tidbits: LIFE UPDATE

 I’ve been fencing! Public Domain, Wiki Commons  Not that kind. This kind.     Let me back up to explain my absence. The past few mont...