© irene waters 2018
Thinking of everyone in the United States celebrating Thanksgiving this week and I hope that everyone had a time of happiness with their families. Celebrations such as these can bring for some, however, much sadness as a day meant to be celebrated with family serves only to highlight those that are missing from the table. My heart goes out to all those who struggle through this time, especially this year those that suffered in the Wild fires in California.
I must also apologise for my sudden absence. I know some of my readers worried and for that I am sorry. In August we gained possession of our new house. Roger had never really settled into unit living so we had decided that we would move. The house we bought needed a lot of renovations most of which we were going to do ourselves and we had a period of a month in which to do paint the house before the new flooring went down. This proved harder than we thought as Roger is now in need of a total shoulder and hip replacement. At the same time I persuaded my mother at 90 that she should stop driving which means that I am doing a lot of chauffering duties. She also had emergency surgery which saw her in ICU for a few days but she has now recovered well. In fact she had less reaction to the anaesthetic than Roger did the last surgery he had. All in all – life got on top of me and I found I suddenly couldn’t cope. Creativity went out the window. My camera even went in the cupboard. I was frozen when it came to blog posts and I had no time to visit anyone which always makes me feel guilty. I simply have not gone near my computer for a couple of months and I feel revived for the break and look forward to returning regularly to my pages and hopefully yours. You never really know what challenges life has for you.
Soon after we moved we had a new dog join the family. Marley is a rescue dog that came with some issues – none of which we have yet experienced. He is a delightful dog and has made our family complete.
We have just returned from a holiday to Egypt.
© irene waters 2018
This was the most awe inspiring place I have ever visited in my life and I can assure you that over the coming weeks you will hear about it in a travel feature that I am going to start writing.
I was thrilled on my return to learn that my memoir Nightmare in Paradise has been published.
It is available as both paperback and ebook (in a couple of formats) but I can’t as yet find it as an ebook on Amazon so if you want it in this fromat you will need to visit Zeus. If you read it I would love to have you review it. I am now trying to plan a book launch and for an introverted person this is going to be the hardest part of the entire writing process. I will also do some posts on what I do in preparation for this and whether or not it is an effective strategy. If anyone has experience would love to have your ideas on what works and what doesn’t.
Only a month to go until Christmas. It seems like it only happened last week. This Christmas we are looking forward to and I plan on decorating the tree and house. We have my brother from Switzerland arriving before Christmas and my sister-in-law, her husband and her grand-daughter arriving from Germany on boxing day. It will be lovely to have so much family around – not something that happens often these days as everyone is spread around the world.
Times Past will return at the beginning of December and I look forward to reading your responses to the prompt.
Now I think I have taken enough of your time – over to you. Have you read any good books or seen any films that should be seen? Looking forward to seeing how your week has been. Thank you for dropping in for coffee, it is lovely to see you. Thanks to eclecticali who is our host of the weekend coffee share.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Yay! I’ve missed you but knew you needed time. As soon as company is gone I’ll see about getting your book, I look forward to it. Congratulations.
Welcome back.
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Thanks D. I look forward to catching up what you are up to also.
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So good to see you back and congratulations on the book! So exciting. Plus moving – that in itself is exhausting – and congrats for that as well. 🙂
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Thanks. I am naturally excited about the book but equally excited about getting back to normal and that includes times past. Look forward to seeing you there.
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I did wonder what happened, and I’m so happy you are back! It’s so true that creativity goes out of the window when life throws challenges your way. I took a month off from blogging this past September, and found it rejuvenating. Welcome back, Irene!
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Thanks Diane, Yes, I have come to believe that we need a break even when on a permanent break. Glad you found yours rejuvenating. At the moment I too feel rearing to go. Thanks for the welcome back.
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Congratulations on the book may there be more. Sorry to learn things became hectic for you.
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Thanks Betty Louise. I’m excited but daunted at the same time about the book. Hopefully life will slow down now – or at least after Christmas it will. How are you going?
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I doing okay for my age. We lost Kato a couple years ago.
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Glad you are doing well. Age does have an impact which we all just have to learn to live with. You are lucky you have your reading. It must have been hard when Kato went – they leave a big hole in the family. Hugs
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At times it is not easy to do. I have good and bad days. Hugs to you.
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😀
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😊
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I’m so glad to see you back here, though I certainly understand why you had to take time off. Health, aging, changes in lifestyle, vacation, new puppy – Marley is adorable and seems to be a great companion to Muffin – and especially getting your book launched. I’m really excited about this last event as you’ve been talking about it for years. Congratulations on this achievement, Irene, and best wishes for all success.
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Thanks Sharon. I can’t get over how much he looks like Bundy only he doesn’t have the mole on his nose. He is a real bundle of fun with a constantly wagging tail and he makes Roger (and me) very happy. The book launch is daunting to say the least. I had no idea how much preparation is needed to do one and it is now that it will show me if my toastmasters membership has been worthwhile. Good to be back Sharon.
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I wondered where you were. You certainly have had a lot happening.
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I’ve always kept a lot on my plate and it came as an unexpected shock to find that I had become overwhelmed by it all. I think that is a sign that age is starting to have an effect.
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Glad you are back! Congratulations on the publication.
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Thank you for the welcome and congrats. The book I am excited about and I’m glad to be back.
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Wow. “the most awe inspiring place I have ever visited in my life” is REALLY saying something, coming from you.
Congratulations, Irene! 🎉 Am thrilled to hear of your memoir out!
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It is what they did in the time without any computers or modern technological aids. The earliest one we saw was 2,667 years Before Christ and there is so much of it you get the feeling that wherever you dig in Egypt you’ll unearth a well preserved something. The Sahara is a good protective agent.
Yes I am thrilled. I haven’t seen it yet because I asked them not to post until after we got back from Egypt. Hope to get them soon and then really let myself believe I am finally an author.
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Great to see you back and congratulations!
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Thanks Anne.
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Welcome back, Irene! I completely understand frozen creativity. For two years I struggled with writing through a fog. It happily broke. Sometimes we need a break like what you took and other times we have to press on. Congratulations on your new house, new dog and new book! I hope you settle in with all of it. I think you know someone who can help you with your marketing. 😉 I sent you an email.
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I know you understand it Charli – I’ve read this weeks prompt and am thrilled you have had it return. I’m hoping mine has also but time will tell. Thanks Charli – I haven’t seen an email come from you.
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I don’t think we can always be “on” as writers but we have to push through it. I responded to your other email. Hopefully, that one goes through!
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Thanks Charli it did come through and will get back to you. When those down times come I think the most important thing is not to beat up on yourself about it as that just prolongs the agony. I know because I was a self beater. When I finally let it go ideas started returning.
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Ideas do seen to come when we let go.
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Seems so – thank heavens.
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