The other day during a Zoom meeting, a colleague noted that most people stop reading at the third paragraph of articles and blog posts. I think about that as we adjust to a new year. I find myself reimagining ways to improve my writing approach and practice to increase focus and clarity. With so much available to read and process, we need to be selective with our energy and time and can only absorb so much information that competes for our attention. I also realize that I’ve used up an entire first paragarah to relay this and thank all of you that take time to read my posts each week. 

My “birthweek” observation began last Tuesday. I keep a lovely photo of my smiling late parents on full display and toast it regularly. Each year, on January 14th, my mom would call me at the moment of my birth, often joined by my dad, to wish me much happiness in my personal new year. I always took that call. With her passing last February, I truly missed that this year. 

My youngest brother, Matt, who passed at age 39 in 2005 also celebrated a birthdate anniversary, yesterday, and I also always take a moment to toast him as well as my aunt, my mom’s only sister, who would’ve also celebrated a birthdate last week. I like to think they are aware of how I try to honor their special days and that they appreciate the remembrance of happier times.

I had a really nice birthday, connecting with those I’ve had the good fortune to come to know, some for decades, others more recent. It was also a little sobering to learn that one had entered hospice on that day and I found myself sending support to her spouse, while recalling the good times they both shared with Rich and I. Their’s is quite a unique story and it always brings many laughs to recall life with these two and Rich’s antics. 

I’ve been doing a lot of writing lately. Editing my memoir, LOVE AND A DOG and sending out queries and my Full Proposal. There has been some initial interest. The road to publication is a slow and careful process, but one that has helped to settle me in my way forward. I hope my story can help others.

I’m also actively working with the Board of the Dog Writers Association of America on many fronts and helping a local animal shelter with a Valentine’s Day benefit and fundraiser that will take place at Eagles Nest Farm in my town of Crescent City, Florida, where Yapoun Brothers Tea has taken up residence in the state’s oldest organic farm. It promises to be a nice event to raise funds for the county’s new Spay and Neuter Trailer while raising awareness for the benefits and long-term impact of decreasing the population of displaced and homeless animals that plaques this rural region of the South. I hope that issues of dog attacks and the number of dogs killed on the road will also be properly addressed and reduced at some point. 

Recently, I received advanced copies of fellow dog-writer Cara Achterberg’s new book, Who Will Let the Dogs Out? Stories and Solutions for Shelters and Rescues. Cara and her associates have spent a great deal of time visiting shelters in the southern region of the nation in search of long-term solutions to help shelter pets. I look forward to reading and sharing her content and mission here locally and on a much larger scale. 

I like to say I write the good fight for the widowed and animal advocates. I believe that we as writers and communicators can still make a positive difference in world for humans and the animals who in-turn make a positive difference in the lives of so many widowed people and others.

Despite all the challenges and hurdles in my own world, it still gives me a purpose to keep writing on. Wishing a write-ous week to all.