My Head Hurts

For the past three months, I feared my creative muse would never return from vacation. I couldn’t get excited about writing or even tackling my winter ‘to-do’ list. January and February found me dealing with the shingles virus (yes, I had been vaccinated and it was probably because of the vaccine that the rash was extremely mild). Following shingles, I suffered from a terrible cough/cold (tested negative for flu and COVID). Both health issues prohibited me from my regular swims at STAC, and I’m not even mentioning the political climate. My head hurt.

All of that added to my apathetic mindset.

My head hurts!

I generated games to play with my dog using boxes, paper, and toilet paper rolls. I worked on jigsaw puzzles while listening to audiobooks (mostly mysteries, however, Cher’s memoir was quite good). I browsed Netflix for fantasy movies and comedy series.

I tried to stay away from the headlines. I made grocery shopping exciting with a digital coupon app. But headlines are everywhere and prices keep rising steadily. My head continued hurting.

On the evenings of days when I felt healthy, I reprimanded myself for not writing. But the muse was not to be found and my head still hurt.

And then, well, a fellow writer said, “That’s what THEY want.” And I thought about it. All the headlines, all the crap that was happening, yes, it was more powerful than the shingles' virus. But only because I allowed it to become more powerful.

So, I began with www.5calls.org .  My first two calls went to voicemail and I breezed through the script. Then a call to my House representative’s (Marilyn Strictland) office where someone answered the phone. I stumbled through the script and probably sounded like a dummy. But the next day, I was ready for a live person and when I called my senator’s (Maria Cantwell) office and got a live person, my voice was smooth, my speech clear. It continued to get easier with the bullet points given to me through the 5 calls website. And just today I spoke at length with a staffer in Senator Patricia Murray’s office. I signed up to receive notices about what these three women are doing. I am now following their official websites. I checked Olympia Indivisible and other sites to see what I might be able to do in the coming months. I feel empowered.

THEY (and you know who I'm talking about) aren’t going to win.

Within a couple of days, I dove back into Mixed Shorts, my second book. It will be launched on June 2, 2025. In fact, ebook preorders are now possible at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DY2JQZ2N. This week I’ll take a train to Seattle and spend time with my son as we finalize the cover for Mixed Shorts and then I’ll work on designing and ordering bookmarks because, by June, book events will be underway. My head stopped hurting....until...

Until last night's televised shit show starring our administration. And my headache (and heartache) returned.

Despite today's headlines, the sky is blue and cloudless. I’ll continue the phone calls. I’ll take my dog to the dog park. I'm back at the pool. ’ll finish editing Mixed Shorts so that it’s ready for you!

I won't let THEM win.

Look out, Here I come!

Hunker Down with a Good Read

As we enter the second month of the year I thought you might enjoy some fascinating historical facts and superstitions I’ve discovered about this month. Some you have heard, some not. My sources: Fun world facts.com and Learn bright.org

• ·         The Assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BCE): Although not in February itself, the assassination of Julius Caesar was planned for the Ides of February (February 15) in the Roman calendar.

• ·         The First American Flag Flown at Sea (1775): On February 14, 1775, the first American flag was flown at sea by the colonial schooner USS Alfred during the American Revolutionary War.

• ·         The Signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848): This treaty ended the Mexican-American War and led to the U.S. acquiring territories that would become California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of several other states.

• ·         The First Grammy Awards (1959): The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, but the nominations and voting took place in February.

• ·         The Launch of the First U.S. Space Shuttle (1981): On February 20, 1981, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on its first orbital test flight.

• ·         Imbolc (February 1): This ancient Celtic festival marks the halfway point between winter and spring. It’s believed to be a time of purification and renewal. Lighting candles and fires is said to drive away the dark of winter and invite the warmth and light of spring.

• ·         Groundhog Day (February 2): In the U.S. and Canada, Groundhog Day is celebrated with the belief that if a groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it doesn't, spring will arrive early.

• ·         St. Blaise's Day (February 3): St. Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals in some Christian traditions. It's believed that praying to St. Blaise can protect animals from illness and injury.

• ·         The Death Anniversary of Charles Dickens (February 7): Some people believe that reading a passage from a Dickens novel on this day brings good luck and literary inspiration.

• ·         Valentine's Day (February 14): This day is filled with superstitions related to love and romance. For example, it's said that if you see a squirrel on Valentine's Day, you'll marry a cheapskate, or if you find a glove, your future partner will have the other glove.

• ·         Roman Festival of Lupercalia (February 15): This ancient festival was celebrated to ward off evil spirits and promote fertility and health. It was believed that the rituals performed during this festival would bring good fortune for the rest of the year.

• ·         Leap Year Superstitions: Since February 29th only comes around every four years, leap years carry a lot of folklore. Some believe it's unlucky to start new projects or get married in a leap year, while others consider it a special time for making bold moves.

  
  

I hope you enjoyed these tidbits!

Hunker down with a good read!

A New Year, an Organized Sock Drawer

Here we are, at the very beginning of 2025. What will the year hold for us? I decided to set a low bar to avoid disappointment. But, if my sock drawer is any indication of future events, 2025 will be tolerable.

Did you know that the earliest known socks date back to around the 8th century BC, when the Ancient Greeks wore socks called "piloi," made from matted animal hair?

My mom always purchased more than one pair of the same style and color socks. In theory, when a hole appeared in one, you'd still have a pair. In reality, though, one sock always ends up alone until another one gets a hole.

What does your sock drawer look like? Who knew there were so many ways to store socks?

By Color: Arrange socks by color to make it easy to find matching pairs.

By Type: Separate dress socks, athletic socks, and casual socks for quick access.

By Season: Keep lightweight socks for warmer months and thicker socks for colder ones.

Using Dividers: Use drawer dividers or small bins to keep pairs neatly separated.

Rolling Socks: Roll socks into tight balls and line them up for a tidy look.

Filing System: Stand socks upright like files in a cabinet, making it easy to see each pair.

Marie Kondo Method: Fold socks and stack them vertically so you can see all pairs at a glance.

Drawer Organizers: Use store-bought or DIY organizers to keep socks in specific compartments.

Labeling: Label sections of the drawer for different types of socks or family members.

Hanging Organizer: Use a hanging shoe or pocket organizer to store socks outside the drawer.

Every now and then I empty the sock drawer and match up my socks--a ritual I am sure was not practiced by the Ancient Greeks. Today's sock challenge left only three without a mate. Most likely at least one of the missing will reappear the next time I shake out a bed sheet or slip a sweatshirt over my head. Where socks go remains one of the great mysteries. I'd like to imagine the Ancient Greeks searching for missing socks in the public baths, around the fire hearths, or under cots.

Having only three strays is a huge improvement over last year and I will consider it an omen of good things to come.

In November I shared high intentions of redesigning my website through another provider. I've been using WIX which is incredibly user-friendly (but costly). WIX also allows me to edit, and not having to pay someone for each addition or change is a huge selling point. I have a yearly subscription with WIX that won't expire until summer and canceling it now, won't benefit me. I've looked at several plans. I don't have the energy or mind power to dive into the project with the same gusto I had back in 2020.

Rather than deal with a different website provider, I've focused on finishing the new version of Calico Lane. Jason has worked tirelessly with me on the design. I'm excited about the fresh cover look AND what I hope will be eye-catching, empowering, and fun for readers of all ages.

Since its release in 2022, readers have asked about some of the people in the book. Another exciting change for this version is the inclusion of photographs. Family photos won't be the only ones featured. Snapshots of a few surprising images will catch your eye. I hope this makes Calico Lane feel more intimate for those who don't know anything about me. Copies can be ordered after January 7th from Amazon www.amazon.com/dp/0578340836

and signed copies directly from me through the contact form on my website.

Except for minor edits/corrections, the interior text/story has not changed in the 2025 version. And, if anyone you know would prefer a copy of the original---with the photographed Lane entrance on the cover---let me know. I will have some on hand until the inventory is depleted.

For 2025, I wish you good health, boundless happiness, abundant peace, and a sock drawer that brings you pride!

Best always,

Judy