Back in the Saddle

Back in the saddle … uh, writer’s seat.

I took the entire month of June off from writing Tuesday Blogs. Not only did I need a little break, but we also had several things going.

A dear friend from Nashville came for a week’s visit, which was such a treat. We had not seen one another since last year. It was wonderful to catch up and plunder the Mississippi countryside. She is one of the few people that lives elsewhere that love Mississippi. It is fun showing her all the quirky areas and taking pictures. You’d be surprised what amazing things and people you run across.

Earlier in the month, I spent a day in Hammond, LA, with friends shopping at a bead store. They both use beads in their creative pursuits, and I was only along for the ride. There were beads galore and before you ask, yes, I ended up purchasing a few for myself. 

Even though the temps are way too hot for my liking, summer is a great time in our state. Gardens are bringing forth their bounty and there is nothing like a fresh tomato straight off the vine.

When we first moved from Tennessee to Mississippi in 2013, my mother asked me to make Tomato Crack Salad. I had no clue what she was talking about. When she explained the recipe, I looked at her like she had lost her mind. 

Being the good daughter, I got the ingredients and made it one evening for dinner. One bite and I was hooked. It sounds like nothing, but boy, oh boy! I will share the recipe over on my Patreon page. Head on over and pick it up for free. Click on the Patreon button below.  

I also spent time working on edits for The Red Chair. Things are going well, and I have freed myself up from a deadline for completion. Being a person who worked for years using deadlines as a guide, I tend to apply the same tactic to my personal work. The fact is life is busy and dictates what gets done or is moved to another time. No one has given me a deadline except ME. So, I have released myself from that pressure and will complete it as time allows. The good news is that the story is coming together beautifully, and I cannot wait to share it with you!

July is here and promises to be another busy month. I have several friends and family members facing surgeries. I ask you to remember them in your thoughts. 

Looking ahead, I am involved in several creative projects that excite me. I recently joined a new artist guild in Purvis. (Small town near where I live.) There may be opportunities for me to show my art, and teach some classes on creativity and collage art. This has prompted me to start building a new website for Moon Diva Art. More about that later.

I will continue working with author, Angela Porter, as we gear up for her next book, The Gingerbread Girl. We have other plans that involve a series based on The Three Little Catfish which we released in April. Currently, we are designing reading kits for teachers to use as a prototype. If things go well, we may be marketing those in the future.

In September, I will share my “Finding Your Creativity” class with the sweet ladies at Chapel of the Cross Methodist during their monthly United Women of Faith meeting. 

Also in development is the family history of the Shor family. It is quite an undertaking, but what a gift to pass along to their family members. If we do not share the stories, who will?

Below are a few of the photos from my time away. I have been promising a new Story of the Week for a couple of months now. I promise it is coming soon! 

In the meantime, stay cool and make some Tomato Crack Salad!