Retired & Writing

 I've been retired for almost a year now and living the dream. 

One thing I've done my whole life is writing stories. I have boxes of them, some on paper, some in files on my computer, some on discs and floppies (Yes, that's how long I've been writing)

Now in retirement I've got two new books out this month. https://amzn.to/4ujnodi

There are also some older works there, too. 

I've come to the belief that retirement is just another episode in this life journey. Now I'm living my dream and can only hope it's going to be profitable. 

Threshold of Midnight

Threshold of Midnight is a post-apocalyptic novel with paranormal elements. Sometimes you don't know how strong you can be, until you're protecting a child who may be humanity's last chance.

Diana is plotting her divorce when she’s accidentally locked in an underground shelter. While trapped, a green fog covers the planet. The world ends not with a bang, but with a whisper as people turn to dust. When Diana finally manages to escape, life as she knew it is over. Her husband, friends, and everyone in town have disappeared, and there are piles of a strange, yellow dust in stores and houses.
Heading out to find survivors, Diana comes upon Gracie, a small child who thinks the Virgin Mary is talking to her. Diana believes the child is traumatized as she delivers messages from the Virgin Mary, but when the things Gracie tells her start to come true, it’s time to decide if this child is a prophet, delusional, or humanity’s last chance. 

Along the way, Diana will meet two men, one will save her, and the other is hunting the child.

Eyes of My Killer

      Misty McAllister doesn’t want people to know about her psychic abilities. With just one glance into another’s eyes Misty can see all their secrets. A skill that’s been known to get her in a lot of trouble in the past. But nothing beats the day she comes eye to eye with a serial killer, who has marked her as his next victim.
      Max Jennings is a by-the-book cop and he’s on the trail of the nastiest serial killer in Angel Fall’s history. When psychic, Misty McAllister walks into his squad room and declares she knows who the Angel Fall’s Strangler is because she met him at the mall, Max labels her a whacko. When the Strangler leaves a message on Misty’s doorstep in the form of a dead body Max has no choice, but to believe her.
     The investigation heats up, bringing Misty and Max closer.  Maybe it     wouldn’t have been so complicated if he hadn’t slept with her first.

Tips for the 1st Cruise on Royal Carribbean

 

We go in May! I'm so excited and trying to be prepared as possible. So I've been watching YouTube videos from all those cruise experts. What to bring, what to wear and what packages are worth it. 

What To Bring

There's a lot of buzz about this stuff but some of the things I'm definitely going to need? Here's my short list so far; 

• 
  
  Lanyards. Used to hold your Sea Pass for purchasing things onboard. I've been looking at these

• 

  Towel Bands

  Towel Bands. Ships can be breezy so having something to secure the towel to the chair is a good idea. These will fit easily into the suitcase. 
  

• Inside the cabin they said get these Magnetic Hooks. Then
  you can hang stuff right on the walls. 

One thing you have to check your cruise company about is the plugs for your phones/kindle/whatever. Every cruise company has rules regarding these things like no surge protectors or multiplug outlets. The best thing is to go to your Cruise company's website and look up their specks on these things. 

Going on a Cruise? Yes!

 Sadly I'm one of those people who have never been on a cruise. At 67 years old I'm getting excited to go in May. 

Now the complicated stuff. 

1. I never had a passport. Back in the day (what an old people phrase?) to go to Canada or Mexico you didn't need one. I think I crossed the border with a driver's license. Had to get a passport so I wouldn't have to deal with all those extra papers. 

2. Which cruise? Where to go? How many stops? 

    I really wanted something not too long because... what if I don't like it? Not that I ever met anyone who didn't love the cruise and there were tons of reviews and Youtube videos on this stuff. So we're doing 4 days on the Royal Caribbean and one stop in the Dominican Republic. Reviews were great and now we have other stuff to choose. 

3. Once you book a cruise you have to decide on drink packages, meal packages, and stuff like that. I don't drink much. Maybe a glass of wine on the holiday? Mostly it just puts me to sleep. Hubby is getting the drink package. I'm going for the beverage package. Give me coffee, water and maybe a soda and I'm happy. I might bring a bottle of wine (allowed) and some water bottles. 

Meal packages? I'm Celiac which means I eat gluten free. Medical necessity. Royal Caribbean is supposed to be good with gluten free choices. (More info I got online/reviews) 

Fancy dinners? eh. I'm okay as long as the food is safe. 

4. What to pack? Still researching this stuff. Some are like a couple pairs of shorts, tanks, and 2 or 3 bathing suits. Others give long lists of dresses, shorts, long pants, sweaters etc. I think I'm going to have to figure this out... 

So, if you're a cruise pro, what's your recommendation? All advice welcome. 

😎

Staying Creative in Your 60's

If you have some empty time or even if you don't creative endeavors will keep the mind healthy and can be a de-stressor. So, where are these creative activities and, more importantly, what are creative things to try?

1. Arts and Crafts! This is stuff you can do at home, with friends or take a class. Art is part of my soul so this is something I do all the time.

    Crafts --> 

It's Halloween time! Lots of spooky things we can create. The dollar stores are great places to pick up some skeleton hands or other creepy parts to remake into something else. These are things you put together with hot glue, spider webs, and plastic table clothes. The witch's head was a milk jug, painted green with details done in paint & sharpie. 

    Or get a head start on Christmas crafts. It's coming up fast. Painted wine glasses make great gifts! 

    Furniture Painting --> 

Okay, this one might be a little much 
for beginners but it's fun! Pick up an old chair from the side of the road or at a garage sale. Put a base of spray paint on it and then paint a quick pick on it. Get real creative or just paint some hearts or flowers on it.

    Painting on Canvas--> My favorite is acrylic paint on canvas. It's
easy and forgiving. You an pick up paint and brushes at Walmart or Michaels. There will definitely be more variety to pick from at Michaels but you can get almost the same thing at Walmart for less. A good way to get started without spending a lot of money. Then just put the brush to canvas and get creative. 

    Now, don't tell me you can't paint. Look up Jackson Pollock who hangs in the Metropolitan Museum. Van Gogh sold only one painting during his life. Anyone can paint. Just do it. 

       Hint; there are painting classes on YouTube, step by step instructions in books from the library, or you might find a class at your local recreation department. Art is about fun, not work. Go paint up some fun. 

    

   

Rock Painting--> You can find rocks to paint anywhere. The ones by rivers are better, smoother but you can also buy rocks at craft stores or online. Just use acrylic paint and get creative. 

Get Sketchy--> Pick up a sketch book at your local department
store or check out those dollar store bargains. Grab a pencil or pen and just start doodling. There are online videos for this too if you want to take it farther. I keep a sketch book by my chair and doodle while watching TV. 

2. Write  

    Ever think of writing a book? Hey, I've written books & shorts. 

(check out my Amazon shorts page) It takes a lot of work, time and yes, there is a bit of a learning curve. 

    So forget about that last sentence and just start. Don't think about getting published, just get your story down on computer, paper or however you like to get creative. 

    You can write a novella, full book, or just short stories. Don't think about where it will go, just think about your story. 

    What is a story? Could be fiction. Just make something up. Let your mind wander and think; what if....this happened? 

    Not into fiction? You could write your life story. Don't think if it will be interesting or not. Write it for you, write it for your kids. I always liked hearing stories from grandma and aunts of what their lives were like before I met them. 

3. Find Classes

    You can find classes on almost everything at most recreation departments. Local colleges also offer some simple beginner classes in almost every subject. Art, writing, dance, etc. 

     Look at your local craft stores. Michaels has classes and so do some of our local shops that help local artists sell their creations. Painting wine glasses, knitting, painting, and other crafty things. Some are free for seniors, too!  

Now stay creative! 

    

60 Years Old & Don't Care What They Think

 Do things start annoying you as you get older or is it just that you don't give a damn what everyone thinks and are going to tell 'em what you think anyway? 

I think one of the biggest (and best!) changes that came with age was the ability to not care.  

I work in an Animal Rescue. When we have to medicate a dog we need a weight to make sure it gets the proper dosage. Usually the smallest person in the group is chosen to do help out. Getting the weight on a dog that doesn't fit on our smaller scale is done by one person getting on the scale, we get her weight, then she picks up the dog and gets back on the scale. Do some math and we got the weight. Easy. 

Hard part? If that skinny mini isn't there to jump on the scale today, who will step up?  😁 Yeah, I don't care. I jump on the scale. I don't care if you know my weight. Really, I spent years keeping it a secret and now? eh. I don't care. In the grand scheme of things, do you really think people care that much? 

And if they do want to focus on that number, well, that's on them. I'm going to go eat some ice cream. 

Not caring what people think is a free state of mind. You can be you and those who love you will still love you. (They probably knew all about you anyway) 

There's a poem that I think fits this time in life.

  When I'm an old Woman I shall Wear Purple.  

Check it out and wear that red hat that doesn't match & don't care so much about other people' brainwaves.

 

Half Way Over 60 & Wondering What's Next

 At 65 I have no idea where I'm going next. Does anyone?                        

When my mother was 65 she died. A second heart attack took her out. She languished in the hospital for almost a month before passing. Most of that time in a coma. Mom hadn't been in the best of health for years and I think the lack of medical know how and information kept her ill.

Today we have the internet and the ability to look up our symptoms and and research doctors who can help us. One reason I picked my last doctor was because RateMyMD.com had reviews that said, "she doesn't give up until she figures out what's wrong." The doctor I had before her was a waste of time. He would dish out medication without running tests and kept saying everything was stress. Simple answer that didn't help anything. 

I think if Mom had the right doctor she might have been healthier and lived a longer and more enjoyable life. 

At 65 today I can lift 50 lbs of dog food, wrestle a 60 lb shep mix into a harness and still keep going. Don't ask me how because not every day is perfect. Some days it's exhausting, other days I breeze through. 

I've been reading a lot about positive thinking and that old law of attraction stuff. Right now it's all over social media sites and there's lot's of tiktok'ers talking about it. 

So, how to make this positive? I'm repeating the following; 

"I have the body & health of my 21 year old self" 

Me at 21 - 1st degree Black Belt

I repeat this several times a day. Especially when my back tells me to slow down, my knees creak and the hip screams as I try to stand. 

"I have the body & health of my 21 year old self."

Then I have to wonder if it really is mind over matter.  There are reports that a long time ago living to over hundred was a normal thing.  Then I started to do research but didn't really find any truth to that. Check out the page Ancient Origins where they come up with other meanings for the reports of living longer. 

So back to what I want out of life at 65? That would be good health, fun times, and work that brings the satisfaction of helping others. (I choose to help dogs & cats in rescue) And I get to play with puppies. 😎 

I think positive thinking is helpful but not sure it's going to make me feel like I'm 21 again. That was a very good year. However 65 hasn't been too bad either. 

Where are you now? Does it make you happy? 

Let's Wine about it. Joint pain?

 I drink wine. 

Not often but maybe once a week or so I'd have a glass. 

Let's talk about the last two times I tried wine.  Both spaced a couple weeks apart. 

First; A popular American wine. Delicious. 

Next morning it felt like every joint hurt, wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, and I had a headache. So then I was thinking what did I do differently yesterday that makes my joints feel like they're on fire today? 

Could it have been those two glasses of wine? I considered it. After all this was alcohol and I usually didn't drink much so was wine the culprit? Could wine have that affect on joints? 

Now, at 65, I know my body is a lot different than it was at 25 but my joints were on fire!

Fast forward to this past weekend. I try wine again. But this time the wine is from Italy. Two glasses. Next day; No joint pain, no headaches. Next night I have two more glasses. (Had to finish the bottle, right?) Following day still no pain, no headache. 

A while ago someone told me they only drink wine from Italy because American wines give them hangovers. I never really gave her comments a second thought, but now I have to wonder what's in American wine? Or is there a magic something in Italian wine? 

Who knows? 

Maybe next weekend I'll pick up an bottle of Italian wine and give this experiment another test. 

Anyone else try this? What's your wine of choice?