I took a few days 'off' in recent days to reset and re-group. My creative mind needed a refresh and the chance to recalibrate to a more Zen (ish) frequency. I heeded the suggestion of a sassy, southern friend to do something totally out of the ordinary (although I did immediately nix the idea of standing on my head...). I decided to drag out the yoga mat from under the couch where it had been amassing all sorts of interesting collectibles the past few months (Come on, really cats?). Once the mat was scrubbed and sanitized (must keep those rogue viruses at bay!), I took it out on our back patio to practice the few moves I still remember from my hot yoga days.
My truly out of ordinary difference this go round is that I'm practicing my new moves in the middle of the night/early morning, when most of my nearby neighbors are fast asleep. My sleep schedule has been obliterated the past few months anyway--I'm now up at all hours of the night/day, sleeping when the need calls. It's currently my body's way of dealing with the chaos of #QuarantineLife I guess. I've given up fighting it and am going with the flow...
My little, nightly yoga sessions are something that belong just to me and my Zen surrounds. It's a chance for me to experience nature and peace uninterrupted by the ring dings of phones or boob tube cacophony. Did I mention the temperatures outside at night are in the 50-60s, leaving you with a cool, refreshing mindset? I switch on our pool lights for ambiance and enjoy some time just with me, listening to the sounds whispering in the night winds as I work through my moves.
It's comforting for me to stare at the ripples and reflections in the pool water, luring you to a peaceful calm. On Sunday night (3:15am) the sky had a peculiar, orange glow when it should have been pitch black (and no, there were no fires around, I did check). I watched the palm leaves flutter back and forth in the breeze, their shadowed contrast against the orange sky a thing of swaying beauty.
My secret, nightly Zen sessions are working their magic (I'm such a rebel). I relish this time alone with the whispers of the wind, a mindful conversation that soothes and encourages... It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
Hearth Fires Cracks the Zon Top 100!
Gotta love those Amazon categories--the bundled search paths of literary delight that feed (or crater) the rankings of your books. This past weekend I am very happy to announce that Hearth Fires cracked the top 100 ranking in British anthologies and British short stories and was a respectable #142 in World literature short stories! These search categories are key for keeping your books in the search lime lights--it's a good thing for every writer to keep track of and adjust accordingly to get your book out there.
Thank you, reader Amy Reade for another awesome 5 STAR #bookreview!
This book has everything a Halloween book should have: spooky stories, haunted places, lots and lots of atmosphere, and more than a few *gasp* moments.
Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton have teamed up to provide six stories that readers will love to experience either alone or out loud around a campfire. They're perfect for fall, when shadows begin to deepen in the early evening and there's a chill in the air that may or may not be weather-related. The stories all have a Ouija board theme, and the ways in which the authors have incorporated that element into each story are fascinating and so creative.
And the best part? I see that this is apparently the first book in a series—that's great news! I look forward to The Haunted #2. Well done, Bibiana Krall and Veronica Cline Barton!
Tales to get those #Halloween vibes churning this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author Cathleen Maza, Noises in the Dark, 5 STARS
What better way to get into the #Halloween holiday spirit that reading a collection of #scary tales? Author Maza gives us nine tales from the dark side in Noises in the Dark that are sure to get the goosebumps bumping (sprinkled with a few ghoulish giggles)!
Annalisa's Last Dance: A haunted dance floor in the woods awaits you...;
Teddy: A teddy bear that's not so cuddly;
Teeth: Beware of 'the guy who knows a guy';
An Angel Walks into a Bar: Last call takes on a whole new meaning!;
Noises in the Dark: There's no pleasing some spirits;
Inheritance: Dumpster diving yields a big surprise;
The Color of Second Best: Art in an unexpected medium;
Hell Hath No Fury: Beware a woman scorned;
Dream Ghosts: The truth is revealed...
I truly enjoyed this #spooktacular read filled with chills that take you to the scary edge....A great book for the season, highly recommended!
Next up in the #reading queue:
Join us at 1:45pm Eastern for The Lady of Soul Chat!
We're zoomin' with The Lady of Soul, guest author, Kerri Davidson this week! Join us as we chat all things books and fun!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. Tomorrow is the first day of #October! Wishing you a #spooktacular month! Gemma and Rikkhe approve! :)
Love this self care advice, Veronica! Sounds like you've found the path back to your Zen with this peaceful work-out in a beautiful setting. Can't imagine wanting to work out in the wee hours...but my mantra lately is "whatever works, whenever it works". Great news about Hearth Fires! Thanks so much for the "spooktacular" review of Noises in the Dark...'tis the season for all things ghostly. Have a fantastic week-end!
Happy Wednesday Veronica! Good time to take care of yourself and listen to yourself. It’s probably hard to do a head stand with a tiara on, so yoga and meditation in the night sound lovely. Good news about Hearth Fires- well deserved!
What a wonderful post and totally surreal photos! Yoga at three a.m? Wow! Totally love the vibe of this blog and the fabulous book reviews kudos to Cathy Maza. Enjoy the rest of your week!