Maggie’s Musings

I know Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest, but not for Manic Margaret. Saturdays are my fun days, and we all know what Mondays are like, but Sundays are my Get Things Done (RIP David Bowie) days.

My Sundays have turned into an odd mixture of Saturday and Monday. I tend to do fun stuff, up until about 2pm, then the switch flips and I go into action mode. There’s food prep to be done. Laundry too. Oh, and I need to wash the car because we went canoeing. And I planned to soup for dinner, so I should get on the chopping and sautéing and such…

But here I sit, tired from paddling around this morning and wishing the quinoa I cooked would divide itself into containers. I’m also decluttering in anticipation of a refreshed workspace now that I turned in my book, so my office is torn apart.

The reorg includes releasing the balsa wood pirate ship Fodder and I built together. We were going to let the Arrrgh! set sail on her own, but we were afraid she’d capsize and her tiny (imaginary) crew would end up in Davy Jones’ locker, so we ran her aground on an exotic shoreline. Don’t worry, we’re sure the crew are partaking in the local rum (moonshine) with the wildlife, and the ship herself is made of 100% biodegradable materials.

Who knows? Maybe a new captain will come along and take her out on another adventure…

Hey, gang! I know I’ve been quiet lately. I’m busy trying to wrap up OZARKS WITNESS PROTECTION – the third book in 2023’s Arkansas Special Agents series from Harlequin Intrigue.

I hope you are well as we head into autumn. Me, I’m excited to kick back with some cooler temps, Crock-Pot dinners, and college football,

How about you? What are you looking forward to as we head into September?

Hi, friends! September is here…can you believe it?

Here are my #happythings from August:

1. Mellow Monday.
2. A productive day at work.✅
3. Coming home to nest after a long day.🏡
4. Hanging with Jewels and Tracy. Write on! 🖥
5. Friday night errands with my guy.
6. Bid fun with our big boy at Big Rock Fun Park.
7. Sunday snoozes. 😴
8. Comfy cuddles on a puny evening.
9. Rizatriptan.
10. Sharing ice cream. 🍦
11. Breakfast. It’s what’s for dinner.🥓🍳
12. Friyay!
13. Mexican Train Dominoes dominated by Vegas Mags.
14. Words were made. 🖥
15. Steak and potatoes. Yum!
16. Watching Indian Matchmaking with Jewels. 🇮🇳🪷💍
17. Recombobulating with a massage💆🏻, mashed potatoes, and MasterChef.
18. Clean as a whistle, inside and out.
19. Got a 5 year reprieve from ingesting Miralax cocktails! 🍹
20. LaFawnduh’s maiden voyage with Caddy Canoe 🛶, fussing about with Sawyer, and Kelli and I were punked by Bill. 🎇
21. Slept until I couldn’t sleep any more. 💤
22. Fabulous chicken melts.
23. Fortuitous oven mishaps and sugar cookies.
24. Spent the day letting Brene Brown whisper into my ear.
25. Walking the Home Depot and shopping Etsy!
26. A full chapter!
27. Big words and a night at the ballpark.
28. Survival of the warehouse shopping warriors.
29. Caramel lovers mix! Milk Duds, Rolos, and Reese’s Take5s!
30. Prepping LaFawnduh for a big trip!
31. A busy day, a lazy dinner, and an early bedtime.

Fall is coming. Though the weather will remain warm for some time, the football schedule assures me this is true.

Like the trees, I’m ready for a change.

I’ll be turning in another book in September, and I look forward to writing something completely different. I’ve had an idea running the hamster wheel in the back of my mind, and I’m ready to set it on the story trail.

I’m also thinking of redecorating my writing space. Interior décor is not really my strong suit, but I’m ready for something fresh. Likely minimalist. As I think about freeing my imagination, I find I’m also ready to get rid of some of the clutter.

I know, I know, I was supposed to clear things out in the spring. But there’s something about autumn that gets me going. Perhaps it’s a need to feather my nest for winter? Hard to say.

How about you? What’s your season of change?

It seems like authors get conflicting information every day.

Get off social media. But you have to be on Tik Tok. Instagram only works if you post consistently – make a schedule. Facebook ads might not be dead after all… Have you done a deep dive on your Amazon also-boughts? Reels are the thing to do! Buy yourself a ring light!

Gah!

I appreciate well-intentioned advice, but telling me I have to spend my time creating posts and not books isn’t going to work on me. Not anymore.

The posts I share on social media are for my pleasure and the entertainment for those who follow me.

I just finished another book that will leave me with a book hangover, but at the same time I’m thrilled there are writers producing work so engaging I want to step out of my world and immerse myself in theirs.

I thought I’d share a few of my current auto-buy authors. I’m purposefully not including author pals because I don’t want to risk missing someone, etc. So, here some writers making me a broke-but-happy fangirl from afar:

Emily Henry

Mhairi McFarlane

Kate Quinn

How about you? Do you have auto-buy authors?

Like many friends, I suffer from migraines. With the help of prescription medications, I’ve been able to manage them for the last few years.

But every once in a while, one gets it’s claws in me. Last night, I wasn’t fast enough to head it off.

You’ll forgive me for the pun, won’t you? My brain isn’t functioning a top speed.

I was hanging out in the living room the other night and Timber decided to join me. I didn’t pay much attention when she hopped up on the couch to watch TV with me. When the show was over, I stood up and found this:

These beasts of ours are a mess, but at least they are benevolent overlords.

Or cookies. A brownie. Pretty much anything in the pastry food group would do….

I want something sweet, but the only treats we have in the house are ice cream novelties. To be clear, I am pro-ice cream. I’m just a little more pro-baked goods.

And I could go for a muffin right now. Or a doughnut. Or, you know what would be perfect? Cheesecake…

What about you? What’s your go-to when your sweet tooth needs satisfying?

Are you a podcast lover? I listen to a wide variety, but some of my favorites are Smartless, You’re Wrong About, Maintenance Phase, the Categorically Romance podcast, and The Creative Penn. What are some of your favorites?