Another New Year

If you discount the current wild winds and occasional rain, we’ve had a stunning summer so far – long, hot, glorious days to enjoy while relaxing with a book and a cool drink, or to chill-out with friends. I’ve certainly done those, and I hope you’ve been able to as well.
Early in January, I was invited to take my Weird and Wacky Wee Dolls to the Bizarre Bazaar run by Tushita Mystery School. Set in a beautifully landscaped environment in Peria, we had a fun time and Doorway of Death was very popular in the auction. The successful bidder went away pleased, and I was thrilled too.
I’ve not neglected my writing; in between socialising and relaxing, I’ve been plugging away at all sorts of projects. Book Two of The Thousandth Way Chronicles: Pathway of Life is with a cultural sensitivity reader and I’ve been thinking of small changes I might make to that and also to Book Three: Hideaway of Hope.
Yes! Book Three is written and just needs a little tweaking, mostly in the technical department. I have a ‘smart’ writing buddy who obliges me with his expertise when I call for help to understand deep scientific concepts – thanks Steve. YouTube is also a bonus. I can search and find speakers on all sorts of incredible topics. The main problem with that, is avoiding those rabbit holes! They are so appealing.
Technology is not my strong point – I am quick to admit this. My main challenge is that it doesn’t wait for me to catch up. I figured out how to use the remote and now my phone wants to talk to the television!
And talking about phones, I was at the Op Shop recently and a young woman in front of me simply tapped hers on the machine and she was done. I waved my ten dollar note and wondered how long it would be before those disappear.
Later, over coffee (not the best one I’ve had) Karen got a message on her phone from her lawnmower. It was stuck and needed a human to come to its rescue. We looked at the Google map which showed exactly where it was.
Oh, the problems we face! I believe it is the connections within our circle of friends and family that enable us to reach levels normally not possible – for this human, anyway. It’s the concept of Ako where learners and teachers work together to gain mastery of a topic, whether it be string theory, similarities or using a phone.
While all those ideas and thoughts have been percolating, I’ve also been working on a completely unrelated manuscript. Set in the 1970’s in the small township of Helensville, that wee book has been cathartic and a joy to write. More on that another time. Just know, that each manuscript I work on is written with love, and the help of many.
Have a wonderful summer, and I hope you get through your reading pile.