Wednesday's Week of Wictures

Something new!

To help build my blog muscles and post three times a week, Wednesday will be a picture-based post, using pics I've taken in the preceding week.

I'll tag some, if needed, so you have an idea what's going on, and I hope you like this inaugural set.

Reflection of my "office"

Sunrise from the kitchen

Hopefully, the postman understands!

My Nov-oir. (Eh... Your *what*?)

It may never see the light of the published day, but my WIP hits many personal hot buttons.

(As you do.)

This Work In Progress has me writing more consistently
 than I've done in 4+ years. (Even more than here, in 2005, when I blagged (not blogged!) my way into my first writing gig -- and then had to bloody produce.)

My lame, scared excuses are done and even my blog is baby-back up and running. This last few weeks have been a New Beginning.

I carve out at least an hour a day for writing, bust out a 1,000+ words and the habit has formed. No need to run anymore.

So, that problem is solved, and the book will be a history of me thus far, which my boys can one day use as a source of entertainment, or a really cool door stop.

Here's the deal, though. I have a completely and absolutely shitty memory.

Nothing to do with the drinking or excesses of the past. Of course not, (where's the angel emoji), but this memory issue leads to this quandary.

2005 me, trying to come up with a headline!

All my adventures are real, but I can't remember some of the names, and for sure as shit can't recall some of the actual conversations.

I'm thinking about doing a Netflix where they begin every episode of the hit show Narcos with:

"This dramatization is based on real events. However, certain scenes, characters, names, businesses, incidents, locations and events have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes."

Instead of a memoir, I may call it a Nov-oir. I can't prove all the crazy, dumb and lucky things that happened to me, but they did. I was there. Promise.

 What's your thoughts? I would genuinely love some honest feedback, please!

Which direction would you go? Strict memoir? Fictionalized novel? Mix of the two?

Sheep jam!

Driving to the local Wal-Marty store Thursday, the only thing on my mind was beef or chicken, definitely not lamb... and then this happened!

(And I wasn't in the countryside, this is about 300 yards from the parking lot!)

What is that?? It can't be...

Noooooooo!!

How cool is that!!

And they kept, coming and coming and coming...

Over the hills and far away....

Of course there was some stragglers and trouble-makers!

And, in charge of all these hundreds and hundreds of sheep was one bad-ass, whistling shepherdess, holding a dog in her arms!!

I'm a simple lad, and it was ages before the smile left my face. That was one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time :)

Thanksgiving Wednesday

This will be a different Thanksgiving this year. Not a sad one, or one to feel regrets, just a different one, because for the first time in 23 years it will be just a Thursday again.

And, like I said, that's ok. No regrets, but new beginnings, new challenges and new adventures await.

For now, the writing is going nicely, I feel I'm doing a shadow Nanowrimo, which is kinda fun, as I've talked for years about doing the challenge. I won't make 50,000 words, but I'm on schedule to hit at least half of that, and for that, I gladly give thanks.

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving, or happy Thursday.

As you do.

No turkey business with these here Sandhill Cranes

The boys.

I think of my boys later in life and hope they have a laugh visiting my blog and seeing some of the pictures from when they were younger.

Although much has changed, here's a couple of pictures from a recent visit to see the boys in Virginia. I know many people enjoyed reading some of our adventures from the past.

As I ramp back up and continue my writing renaissance, I do so with these three imps in mind. No matter what happens, they know I love them unconditionally, and I hope to make them proud of my writing tomorrow, and of the choices that I make today.

Challenges & Itsy Bitsy Successes

Ah yes, the Place of Insecurity. I've been a season ticket holder these past few years, for various reasons, including blah blah blah. We've all been there.

I'm a bit annoyed with myself, because Wednesday I said that I'd post three times a week and yet I tried to talk myself out of it today! Bloody hell, Koopmans. Really?

However, no waxing lyrically and no big plan, but I tell you what, I needed to write today- so I did. Responding to the kind folks who commented took a little while, but it gave my three little brain cells enough time to pop a light bulb.

Writing is a commitment (imagine that!) and it takes time, and it's hard, and definitely a pain in the ass, sometimes, but there is so much joy in seeing the finished project, isn't there?

As I ease my way back into knowing I have the right to write and the belief that I'm good enough, just seeing this on the page gives me a shot of peace. Seeing a posted comment - and then returning each one - was a itsy bitsy tinnie winnie victory, so writing a post is another step toward the exit of the Place of Insecurity.

I've made some changes this year and have no clue what the outcome - or income - will be, but I saw these boats the other day. What's the story and where are the fishermen? I hope to find out one day, but it was fun sitting on a wall and happily daydreaming about all the possibilities for twenty minutes.

My imagination has awoken and I've written 14,000 words in 16 days, something I haven't done in years, if ever. Long may it last and the only one who can make me quit is me - and I am so sick and tired of that guy.

This guy is nicer, a little more charming with a twist of self-confidence that's been missing for yeah, awhile. It's good to be a writer again.

It is a new dawn, a new day and after more than 3 years I am regularly writing again.

I thought, therefore, that I should shake the dust off this blog and baby-step my way back into the community.

This feels good, and I'm planning updates (don't ask me what about :) for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

For today, it's fun to dip my toes back into the writer, er, water, and wave hi.

Regards, Mark