Let it Snow!

I have been busy all day with little projects – some that turned into bigger projects. Now, I’m tired and ready to sit and read. But first some dinner.

Big snowstorm is heading this way – or so they are saying at least. I’m choosing to believe that they are all wrong. It started out 8-12″ of snow with winds. Then I saw that the weather channel was saying 12-18″. Locally, the media is saying 10-14″. Quite frankly, I don’t like any of those options. I much prefer 0″.

Today, though, I’m thankful that my dad is somewhere safe so I don’t have to worry about him. Last year with the weather, I felt like I was calling him ten times a day and yelling because he wasn’t staying inside. This year, I know he will be inside and it will be warm and he will have food. I don’t mind being snowed in (and given where I live, if we get what they are saying, I will definitely be snowed in), but worrying about what my dad is doing last year drove me crazy. One less worry.

The Weekend is Here!

I plan to go see dad in the morning first thing. Then home to curl up with a book under my blanket. And pray the weather forecast is wrong. Right now I’m hearing 7-12″ of snow. Ugh

I’m thankful the week is over and the weekend has begun. Plus I’ve received two five-star reviews on my book 😍

NORMAL!

I don’t think I posted yesterday. I guess that’s what happens when you’re having too much fun!

My cousin and her husband stopped over last evening for a glass of wine – we always have so much fun with them. And they are leaving tomorrow for a trip down south so it was good to see them. We are planning on having a shared garden this summer – we have the land and they have a tiny postage stamp sized yard. It will be fun, especially since he loves to cook and we will get to try new things. Aw, who am I kidding? I hate most vegetables. But I can keep the wine poured while everyone is busy gardening.

Today, though, I am very thankful for being NORMAL! First time in my life I think that I have been considered normal. Yesterday was my stress test. It took way longer than I expected it to take. They had to shoot dye through me and then I had to sit for 45 minutes – then lots of pictures of my heart. Then I got to get on the treadmill. That was interesting because the doctor had trouble getting my heart rate up. I’m definitely out of shape and my legs felt like jelly, but my heart is strong! But then more dye and more pictures so I didn’t get the results until today. And they said I’m NORMAL! What a relief to know that all my years of eating badly haven’t permanently damaged me.

And my blog blast began today with another blast next week for my new book. It’s always exciting to see your name on the cover of a book.

Finally, etc.

Finally Love Aflame was published for Kindle today. It feels like it took a long time to get it all done so it could be published. Th paper book will be ready soon.

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Aflame-Pamela-Beckford-ebook/dp/B00SRRKADA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422402592&sr=8-1&keywords=Love+Aflame

As far as the etc., it was a great day. I slept in a little bit since I was out last night for a work meeting. I had a couple of really good meetings and accomplished a lot. Then off to see dad after work. Unfortunately he is still talking about moving facilities. I keep hoping that will pass. I certainly won’t be able to keep going to see him as much and doing his laundry twice a week since he would move into Huntington which is the opposite direction from my house and work. Maybe my sister will pick up the slack HAHAHAHA!!!! I seriously doubt that she will go much more than she does now (once a week). Anyway, finally home to a great dinner that I had put in the crockpot this morning and time to just sit and rest.

Today, I’m thankful my book was published and thankful for such a great day (which I attribute to the sunshine!)

Another loss

I’m starting to like my Monday posts the most. I lost another .6 pounds this week. In three weeks I’ve lost 7.8 pounds. I’m thrilled.

I’ve been eating at home instead of going out all the time. And finding low point foods that will fill me up. I’m happy with my progress so far.

Ideally I would lose another 38 pounds (at least 33 more). I just keep thinking about all those clothes I have for summer that I could wear.

Onward and downward.

Writers

Writers and authors are the best. I had the biggest smile on my face when I got the mail yesterday.

I’m so grateful to have made friends with so many of you.

P.S. If you haven’t read Not Without My Father, buy it today. You won’t be sorry.

My Day

This may be a really boring post tonight. But let me tell you about my day.

First of all, I had to clean the house. Since I lost my cleaning lady, I decided that I could save some money by just cleaning myself. I used to really enjoy cleaning. Not so much anymore. But I did it and got it done in less than 3 hours. And as good a job as my cleaning lady did, I think it is cleaner. I’m a bit of a clean freak so it never really is dirty, but I paid close attention to getting it really clean. And I just love a clean house.

Then off to see dad. We had a nice chat. He is still unhappy about them transferring his favorite aide, but I think he is finally adjusting. Tomorrow I am drafting a letter to the administrator of the nursing home to express my displeasure for their total disregard of their patients. Dad and another man went to see the director of nursing on Friday and she was patronizing to them and totally ignored everything they had to say. I’ve never met this woman, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t like her.

Off then to get dad’s oil changed. We are trying to sell his ramp van and he didn’t want me to get the oil changed. But it needed to be changed and he will never know. LOL

Grocery store was my next stop – ugh! But now I have something to eat again. It has been an adjustment since we used to eat out nearly every night and now I’m eating at home.

Next was to finish up my book cover and get everything uploaded. Of course I was having issues with the formatting. But, thanks to a friend, it is now perfect and I didn’t pull out too much hair. And my book cover was giving me all kinds of fits too. But a really good friend didn’t just help, she called me and talked me through it. I’m happy with it finally. I’m still hoping that I can have everything ready to go by 2/1. That’s a few days past my goal publication date, but I would rather it was done correctly and late than wrong and on time.

So much to be thankful for today – a clean house, good visit with dad, food to eat, friends willing to help out on my book. And now, I’m off to finish up a good book and write a couple of reviews.

TGIF

I have no particular plans this weekend. Well, except that since my cleaning lady quit cleaning houses, I have to clean my own house tomorrow. Oh, and I have to finish formatting my book and polish up the book cover. But other than that I am free as a bird.

So today I’m thankful that I can stay home this weekend. I see reading in my future if I can get this book uploaded.

Blech

I’m sure there is something I should be thankful for today. But honestly, it was just such a blah day I can’t think of a thing.

Plus I’ve been chilled and can’t arm up. Hope I’m not getting sick. Time to rest.

I will return tomorrow with something more upbeat.

New Science Fiction Magazine

 

What is Nonlocal Science Fiction? 

Nonlocal Science Fiction is a quarterly digital magazine featuring short stories and serials from emerging science fiction authors from around the world. The first issue launches on March 14th!

Who is Nonlocal Science Fiction? 

Nonlocal Science Fiction is published by 33rd Street Digital Press, a new independent digital publishing company owned and operated by Daniel J. Dombrowski.

What makes Nonlocal Science Fiction different? 

Built from the ground up to function as a dynamic digital publication, Nonlocal partners with its authors directly and offers them a share of the profits from the sale of the magazine rather than a per-word rate that minimizes the value of a story submission.

Nonlocal involves its authors in a comprehensive digital marketing campaign which benefits the authors directly both by increasing sales and by giving independent authors valuable marketing knowledge and experience.

Why is Nonlocal Science Fiction doing a Kickstarter? 

The Kickstarter will cover all costs to publish the first issue and help diffuse the expenses already incurred while organizing 33rd Street Digital Press.

More than that, the Kickstarter will help build a foundation of support for the magazine as supporters will become primary advocates. Every backer receives a copy of the magazine and has the chance to get limited edition merchandise and additional eBooks from authors appearing in Issue #1.

The top stretch goal for the magazine earns every backer a LIFETIME subscription to the magazine.

Is Dan available for interviews and guest posts? 

YES! At any time, please feel free to email Dan (dan@thirtythirdstreet.com) to request an interview or a guest post about any topic you wish relating to the magazine or 33rd Street.

Anything else I should know? 

After the launch of the first issue, all 10 authors appearing in the issue will be available for interviews! You will be receiving contact info for all authors and a complimentary copy of the first issue once it launches.

What are the relevant links? 

33rd Street Digital Press website: http://thirtythirdstreet.com

Nonlocal Science Fiction website: http://nonlocalscifi.com

Kickstarter: http://kck.st/1KORMlN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/33rdStreetPress

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/33rdStreetPress

Story Summaries 

All of these stories will appear in the first issue of Nonlocal Science Fiction. 

Us and Everybody Else by Valery Amborski In the future, we’ll be able to escape, very literally, into our memories. But is it a good idea to live for the past?

Delivery to Venus by Robert Paul Blumenstein The Earth has become a ball of ice as the sun slowly burns out. A team of scientists must face the ultimate questions of existence while they sow seeds on Venus.

A Thin Atmosphere, Chapter 1 by Dan Colton Mars City comes under attack by tunnel-dwelling Rebels in the first chapter of this old-school space adventure serial.

Mazep-fal by Daniel J. Dombrowski A man who is both the youngest and oldest member of his tribe makes a terrible discovery on a pilgrimage to meet his gods.

Marigold’s Memory by Reva Russell English In a future where human memory is stored on microchip implants and bad memories can be erased, a young woman faces a terrible fate.

Catalyst by Aaron Hamilton A daring escape in a stolen spacecraft and a mysterious and alluring rescuer leave a smuggler wondering what will happen next.

Deal Gone Bad, Chapter 1 by Thad Kanupp Jack survives in a post-apocalyptic wasteland by scavenging guns and ammunition. His life is about to get a lot more interesting.

Shoot the Devil by Nicholas Rossis What would you do if you could travel back in time? If you had the devil in your sites, would you pull the trigger?

The Assistant Assistant Port Keeper by Jim Rudnick Life as an Assistant Assistant Port Keeper in a space port on the Rim has its highs and its lows. A visit from a particularly difficult species of traders presents an opportunity for both.

In The Days Of Still Pictures by H.C. Turk In an alternate wild west where cowboys ride zebras and elephants pull wagons, a pair of traveling salesmen appear and stir up trouble with their magical wares.

A few samples of what’s to come… 

“In The Days Of Still Pictures” by H. C. Turk 

At the desert’s edge, where dry heat created transient visions, sat the town of Vargo, Dakoda Territory, population low and unknown in the year 1873. Remarkable the newcomers passing through. Miners heading for the promised platinum out west just stopping for some drugs at the saloon. Damn herd of elephants ran right through the streets once. Really tore up the place. Your big city journalist seeking the “truth of the Amerigan frontier,” like a profundity misplaced.

Some people stayed for one reason or none, for one duration or another. The photographer, Mizzer Benjumin Roze, had been present a month, but not many people could afford his family portraits. A traveling salesman changed that, providing Mzr. Benjumin with a plenitude of business, an enterprise to unhinge this Erth frontier…

“Marigold’s Memory” by Reva Russell English 

The second time she tried to have the chip unlocated, she went into cardiac arrest, her heart’s rhythm a high-pitched “eeeeeeeee” that showed itself on the monitor as a thin and serious line that stretched between the farthest cosmic reaches of an infinite point A and the farthest cosmic reaches of an infinite point B…

“Deal Gone Bad” by Thad Kanupp 

I woke up with a scorpion on my face. It was crunchier than I prefer, but I’ve had worse breakfasts.

I crawled out of the scrub patch where I’d slept, tongue poking at the chitin stuck in my teeth. Dew had beaded across my skin overnight, and I was shivering. By noon I would trade it for sweat under the ruthless wasteland sun and be longing for the dripping bushes I’d hidden in for the night. That’s man for you. Want what you want ‘til you get it, and not a minute longer—one thing that held true for everyone. I needed it to…

“Catalyst” by Aaron Hamilton 

Cribbs tried not to think of how lucky they had been, afraid he would somehow cause the scales to tip back against them. He hadn’t stopped to question it when his cell door slid open, or when his impounded ship was released from grav-lock, or even when they escaped without pursuit. But his cynicism resurfaced as his pulse slowed…