Good morning, Everyone. It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here on the south shore of Long Island. The yard is about to burst in color. Pour your coffee. Let’s catch up.

If we were having coffee together, I would confess my negligence on keeping up with blog reading, writing and corresponding. In fact, everything has been in a holding pattern. I’ve been under the radar, pushing through the beta readers’ comments and finishing the manuscript. How do prolific writers write brilliantly and be a person at the same time? My process is slow and labored, leaving home and hearth in disarray. The house is a mess, meals are poorly executed, and I am attacking the yard in pieces. But as of last night, I can say I am DONE. I am ready for another round of beta readers. If anyone is interested in being a beta reader for my 42k-word manuscript, PLEASE email me (storiesserved@gmail.com). 

If we were having coffee together, I would report that a 20 yard dumpster was filled with my parents’ 50+ year collection of stuff from the crawl space, basement, garage, and attic. My dad hated to throw anything away and lived by the motto “I might need this one day.” Although he proved the statement true in his years of repairing, maintaining and building for the house, cars, and boats, there was a lot of stuff waiting for their “one day”. We sifted through tools and gadgets, clamps and hoses, and pumps and transmissions. It was an emotional dig for everyone. We distributed the necessary and laughed about the absurd. Mom’s flower and gardening supplies have new locations she can access safely. In the end, it was just stuff. Despite the clear basement and somewhat organized garage, Dad’s presence echoes in our hearts and minds. 

If we were having coffee together, I would lighten up this post by sharing the story of the deer’s head. A long time ago, Dad came into possession of this deer’s head. It was not his prize stag, but it hung in the den for years. Several times Mom tried to throw it out, only to be thwarted by Dad pulling it from a garbage can and claiming its beauty and value. It sat in the attic for another 20 years. When we pulled it out and brought it to the dumpster, my 5-year-old nephew wanted to pet it. He and his three-year-old brother played with it while we threw everything in the dumpster. It kept them very busy. At the end of the day, the boys somehow hid the deer’s head in bushes. No one noticed. The dumpster was removed a few days later. The deer’s head peeked out of the bush, remaining in one piece for now. Monday is trash day. Let’s see what happens. 

That’s about it. Great big thank you to Natalie the Explorer, the incredible host of Weekend Coffee Share.

 Be kind. Be safe.

Have a fantastic week, Everyone. Make it great.

Enjoy‌ ‌❤️.‌ ‌Like‌ ‌‌👍‌.‌ ‌Share‌ ‌😊.‌ ‌  

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