October 2020
As October and 2020 passes by I’m becoming more negative. Being positive and practicing mindfulness are important, but this is not easy. We have to be realistic, it has been a tough year and it has affected people in different ways. From those still refusing to go outside and / or quitting jobs that they once loved. To those happy to return to the gym, go to the pub and though social distancing, get on with life. A year ago we never imagined that our lives would look like this today.
How do we go forward?
My nine-year-old is going through a tough time at the moment and has been advised to record three good positive things that have happened during the day. This is good advice and helps to stop us dwelling on the bad. So much happens to us in our lives sometimes seeing the good is often difficult.
Walking is excellent for clearing the mind. I enjoy walking the children to school and walking to collect them. It gives me time to reflect and de-stress from whatever is happening during the day. It also earns me steps on my fit-bit fitness tracker. On a school day I easily walk over 10 000 steps, some days more 15 000 steps. Today, school holidays I’ve managed less than 5000., not so good. Yes, I need to add a walk into my daily schedule and create myself a reason for doing it. Exercise is important to our well-being.
My writing
I’ve been updating my other blog, Justmuddlingthroughlife regularly, and have now completed writing my submission for the Writers Unite! Western Anthology.
On Friday 30th October my Paranormal short story was published in the Writers Unite Paranormal Anthology. I am excited to see my work amongst other excellent fiction writers. Unlike the writing on my blogs both Anthology submissions have taken hours of work – feedback and support from my writing group and many drafts.
After a break from my time tunnels novel, I have now started re drafting the beginning. At 71000 words in raw first draft, I have a long way to go, but I have not given up on it.
Here is my September – Facebook Live
Writing projects
With the children returning to school on Tuesday, life should be getting back to normal. However, in the UK we are now entering into a month’s lockdown as from Thursday. What does this mean? Children and teachers will still be going to school. People are already panic buying. I did a small shop this week and am now wondering whether I should be stocking up more.
My next post for www.justmuddlingthroughlife.co.uk is my November, Ruby and Freda story. December will possibly be the concluding part and I’m wondering what is going to happen. Will Freda find love? Has Ruby found true love with Mark? What about Ruby’s singing career? And what happens to Rosie?
I intend to continue redrafting my novel, my long work in progress.
Life and Halloween
Life continues with all the complications of family life. The children seemed to have a lot of homework this week, I guess not helped by so many months not attending school. We have completed the maths just English to finish.
Today is 31st October, Halloween, but this year is different. There are no trick or treaters but we are still all carving pumpkins. Something we can do despite COVID 19. Tonight my daughter found an incense tea light. We put it inside her pumpkin and lit it, a fresh sweet smelling pumpkin.
So, how is life with you? and how are your writing projects going?
For more see, Hot weather, lockdown, family and writing
and A different world and our changed lives
