Three years. How time flies.
I was a little gobsmacked when I realized how long it’s been since I’ve written a blog post. I took some time to go back through my posts and reread many of them along with their comments. Jeez Louise, we used to have a lot of fun here. I miss those days.
I have two reveals for you today. The first is my new book cover, Murder Runs Amok. This is the ninth book in the Two Sisters and a Journalist series. I still love writing about Jo Ravens (Wheeler) and her family. I don’t see this series ending anytime soon.
The second reveal is … me!
I started writing when I was fifty-six years old. I am now sixty-six, and I am embracing my age and my white hair. I’ve never wanted to put my face out there, but now I don’t care. This is me, warts and all.
Things have changed dramatically in my life. The past several years have been extremely difficult, and I will soon no longer be living with the menfolk. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life, and I see only good things coming my way. I hope to realize my true potential as a writer.
I’m inspired when I write by a Canadian music ensemble – The Dead South. This is “new” music to me, and I can’t stop listening. They are four metalheads who built a folksy/bluegrassy band with jazzy/bluesy notes on the side and even an orchestral sound at times (because of that crazy cello). Their lyrics are dark, but the music is awesome. My go-to song to start my writing day is their song Spaghetti (see below). It has a spaghetti western vibe. Check them out and see what you think. https://www.thedeadsouth.com/music
If you used to hang out here and spot this post, stop in and say hello. Let me know how things are going with you. If you’ve never been here, stop in and say hello, too.
Cheers!
(My author headshot above was done by a fabulous man, Glenn Kerns, at Camelot Photography Studio in Navarre, Ohio. I went there scared like crazy to have my picture taken, but he was a gem by putting me at ease and making me smile (literally). Thank you, Glenn.)
Breezy Books 
Hi Maddie!!!! Yes, it’s been too long! So glad that you’re back though!! Let’s not deal on the tough past, but march full speed ahead into the future!!!
Stan! I’ve missed you. Hope to be in touch more. And yes, full steam ahead! I’m really looking forward to this coming year. Thanks for dropping in!
Nice portrait.
Not sure how much I should ask, so I won’t. Glad to hear you’re doing OK now, no matter the past.
And yes . . . The Dead South. Here’s one of my favorite of theirs:
As for me? Lots of stuff. None all that important, but I’ll answer any questions if really interested. The helicopter view is that I’m still blogging, still photographing, still writing, still living (the last one is important).
Nice to see you! That video is a hoot, and that’s the song that introduced me to the group. I will definitely be by to catch up with you. I plan to come back to blogging full time. Everyone here who knows me knows Rich, so I do plan to share a bit in a later post. See you soon!
Maddie!!!!! So good to see you here! You look, marvelous darling! Full speed ahead, lady! ❤
Thanks, Jackie! Same to you! 🙂
I recognized your MC as soon as I saw it on my posts. Of course I remember you and your books! Glad you are back!
I took leave in 2016 and returned in December 2020. I’m doing nothing new and not doing it any better. Just spending more time doing it.
Let’s embrace our graying. I always pictured you as a blond. Must be those book jackets. 😉 You look great
It’s hard to let go of the past. It is what it is. Enjoy the future. 🙂
I’ve been looking around to see who is still blogging, and I was happy to see you still singing. I always listen to you sing! I grew up as a dishwater blonde, was a bottled blonde for most of my adult life, but when I started to let it grow out and saw the color – I liked it! So here we are. 🙂 I’m looking forward to spending more time with you, ladysighs. Keep singing!
Great!
But let’s never grow up. 😉
Haha! Not a chance. I’ll be twelve years old forever. 🙂
Wow, it’s great to see you back. I’ve been in the weeds myself, so I understand how it could happen. Do it up right. 🙂
It’s good to see you, too, Tim. I feel so good about my future right now. I really think I can “tear it up” this year; I’ll do it up right. 🙂 Thank you for always being here for me.
I think you’ll do great, Maddie. You’re so talented and intelligent.
Hey Maddie! Good to see you back! Hope the future is brighter for you. I’ve distracted myself away from writing to focus on photography, mainly because I wanted to photograph my own book covers. So I had to start figuring out how this introvert was going to work with (photograph) people he’s never met before. Somewhat scary. So I started going down the portrait photography path (see the Instagram link on my blog, if you like). Each year I keep telling myself I’ll finish the stories and shoot the covers. One of these years. I better hurry up I’m 14 years behind you!
Take care!
Richard! The briefcase! The briefcase! Shoot the cover and get the story out there. I still want to know what’s inside. 🙂 I knew you drifted off into photography; glad to see you are still working with it. 14 years behind me? You, sir, are a baby! So good to see you!! I’ll check out your Instagram!
Richard, I moseyed on over to your Instagram page. I was able to see quite a few photos before the page wanted me to sign up (I will one day). Your people photos are really nice. I could see several of them on book covers. Not one to be thwarted, I also checked your Flickr pages. Wow! You’ve got some stunning photographs there. Very nice work!
Thanks for checking it out and the kind words, Maddie! I haven’t updated Flickr for ages. I should focus on that more because it’s actually a better platform but Instagram, unfortunately, has the viewers. Thanks again!
Hi Maddie, I’m sorry for your difficult times. You will be stronger having gone through them, and your writing will probably be richer as well. You look fabulous. I did the same thing with my hair during COVID. I think so many of us did. I tried some platinum streaks of color for the first time in about three years. It doesn’t even show, LOL. There’s a current (like Feb. 11th) picture of me on this post. https://alwayswrite.blog/2022/02/13/coffee-share-catch-up-square-odds-doors-trios-lapc-185-change/ I decided I should quit using my professional photo which is 10 years old this year, but I don’t have anything to replace it. The picture I used is of another blogger and me. She visited us last August. You’d love her if you don’t know her already, Terri Webster Schrandt of Sunday Stills. . I’m glad you’re back and reconnected. I also took a break or two from this blog and thought I run a writing blog. It wasn’t as interactive as this one is, so after four years, I deleted it and came home. That was almost two years ago and I’ve settled into just having fun and connecting. 🙂
Hi Marsha. That picture of you is fantastic! I love the color and cut of your hair. You actually look like a blonde in the sunlight. Thank you for some of the blog recommendations. I’m already enjoying reading new people. I’ll have to look Terri up. That’s what I’m hoping to do, too – have fun and connect with people. I have some goofy blog posts planned for the near future. 🙂
Join in my challenges, and you will meet some great people. I have two writing ones and a photo challenge. The other writing one is called WQW Writer’s Quotes Wednesday. Very simple to play. The photo challenge is Photographing Public Art Challenge or PPAC. When you join a challenge community or two, you start making friends fast. Another one that you would like is a new one, https://retirementreflections.com/2022/01/25/challenge-host-interview-series-whats-on-your-bookshelf/. There’s a new post every month. This link takes you to their reblog of my interview so you can meet all four hostesses at the same time.
You have so much going on! 🙂 Let me get these next two books finished (four scenes in one; about 1/3 to finish in the other), and I will be much more comfortable to jump in on some of your projects. I hope to have publication dates in March and April. Right now, I’m racing the clock!
Hold steady on your goals, Maddie. See you then. 🙂
Good to see you back. I have been a little lax with my blog I post sporadically while swearing I will do better, the biggest change in my life is I am now a grandma to two little munchkins and horse mum to two ponies, sometimes changes come along we weren’t expecting but the positives are unexpected and much needed xxx
Thank you, Paula. Congrats on being a grandma! And horses! … I bet your life is full of adventure. I’m saddened so many people I used to interact with are gone, but it seems some are coming back. I wonder if it’s a circular type of thing – the coming and the going. Anyway, so glad to see you. Thanks for stopping in.
Yay I love to read this cause it means good conversation. I’m sorry about rough years but your photo looks fabulous! I will catch up on your books so I can read the new ones. Love your writing.
Today has felt really good. I’ve missed interacting with friends. This will be fun. I appreciate your support, Julia. You’re a good friend.
you are too I have missed talking so much. 🙂
Congrats on both! Thank you for the link to the Dead South! I’ve only heard their one song, and this is even better!
I have ALL their music on a playlist at Amazon Prime. So good! Thanks for popping in.
Hi Maddie – I am so delighted to read of this fabulous progress you have made on the writing front. That is really inspiring.
You look beautiful – what a lovely picture. I hope this is the start of a really optimistic new chapter for you and that you’re feeling confident and empowered. 💖💖💖
MsKatykins! How lovely to see you! Thank you for the kind words. I hope you are doing well. I’m sort of feeling like I’ve got the tiger by the tail. I guess empowered is a very good word. Thank you for stopping by to say hello. I’ve missed you.
Seeing your post on fb (which I’m rarely on these days) brought back such fond memories from all those years ago. I was so lucky to meet fantastic bloggers who are just wonderful people. I remember your first book fondly – I’ll need to look up the others. You come in to my mind at times – particularly when I think of squash and I wonder if you’re still playing racquetball? 😍
I agree. I remember almost being excited to run around the blogosphere. We had so much fun, and the friendships were awesome. Isn’t it something how life gets in the way? I’m glad to be back though. I think blogging will be good for me at this time. I’m happy there are still old friends and looking forward to new. Racquetball … oh, how I would love to play again – even just one game! I played so hard though, I blew out a couple of disks in my back, and I have nerve damage in my shoulder. But I have great memories! Love to you, Katy!!
PS – Wow, WordPress made me log in… that pic is a good 10 years old!!!
I LOVE this picture of you. You’re beautiful, and the hat is fabulous. 🙂
You go get ‘‘em girl!!
Mike! You know I will! 💖 I’ll be by to Twitter chat later. Have to get some work done first.
Patiently waiting lol
You’re lovely, Maddie – inside and out.
Thank you, Hook. You are a peach, and I consider you a dear friend.