The first week of March brought a strong sense of nostalgia. When I was prompted to grab my phone and to access my archived memories on Facebook early Monday morning, I realized that on that day, 8 years ago, my sister passed after a long illness. Today was her Service I’m also reminded. I remember the harrowing drive home from North Jersey to our home at The Jersey Shore with Rich during a big March snowstorm.
My sister was the one who kept my family returning to our hometown of Hackensack and New Jersey. A year after her passing, Rich and I felt it was time to seek a gentler way of life and found ourselves looking at homes and eventually moving to Georgia, which would, due to so many events, and losses, become a the start of a series of entirely new and unexpected circumstances for me.
On Tuesday, I willed myself out of bed at 6:00am to capture the total lunar eclipse. Out alone on the dock with just the backdrop of the crowing of the local roosters, I played with my phone settings to capture this rare event. It was an incredible and peaceful moment and a reaffirmation as to the choices I’ve made that have led me to this place.
This week I took a free online mini-course offered by a book coach for writers who focus on writing about nature and the natural world. I get bombarded with course and webinar suggestions each day. Often, I sign up for them and then either forget, or when the time to “show up” comes around, I just don’t have the time or energy to invest. When I do commit and focus, I’m always grateful for what I learn and what it adds to the quality of my writing. This course made me realize just how important this place has become in “my story”.
My current project, FETCHING LOVE, HOPE AND A DOG (Working Title of my book), captures my first three years of widowhood that includes adopting a blind pup seven weeks after my husband’s passing, my experience as an attendee and presenter at Camp Widow San Diego in 2023 and also how I found myself creating a new life in rural Old Florida with a new partner and a growing pack of dogs.
Recently, I learned of a highly-regarded company that provides self-publishing services. I’ve been published and agented, but it has become more difficult to get those opportunities. Unlike hybrid publishers that charge more than $10,000.00 to publish and keep your rights and take a cut, this option assists writers to create the best possible finished “product” while you get to keep 100 percent of your rights, and income, under the name of your own publishing imprint for considerably less than most hybrid publishers.
I share this because I hear from many who are trying to break into publishing. I’ve been at it for 15 years and still struggle with so many changes that have taken place in the industry. Foreign and Audio markets are additional possibilities now as well and can be profitable. Launching a new title can be challenging. It takes alot of energy and effort so I will weigh my options carefully before I move forward.
As we continue in this lenten season, I’m reminded that while we may think of “giving up” something during this time, we can also be giving back something. Earlier this year, I committed to a monthly donation to Soaring Spirits, International, to support all they do for the widowed community. In addition to that, I put a few dollars aside each day. After a month, or so, that can add up and I donate that collection to an organization, or charity, I feel needs that support. “Small change” can help with significant change for those in need.
And of course, this Sunday we put our clocks ahead and look forward to longer, and eventually warmer days, as we inch toward spring, the season of renewal and more time spent outdoors. I think being outside longer with more light in our days is always helpful for our mental and physical health.
If you wish to learn how you can support the work of Soaring Spirits, here is the link to make a contribution. https://soaringspirits.org/donate/
