Okay, you’re home and quarantined. What now? There are tons of people giving advice. Don’t know that I have any better than anyone else, but I know what I’m doing.

It’s different. It was different when I retired, stayed home and began to write full time. This is a little like that. People are saying they don’t know what day of the week it is. That’s bothered me for some time. When I see others putting out their trash cans, I know it’s Tuesday.

As an introvert, I’m less affected than a lot of people. I like being alone with myself, or with just the Hubs. I also have something to do – write. I realize a lot of people don’t have that so what else is there to do?

In the evenings, Hubs and I have starting actually watching those movies we never got around to. I’ve seen four movies in three days – Bombshell, Thor, The Last Jedi, The Incredible Hulk. I figured it was time to finally watch the Avengers series (in order!) to catch up. There are a lot of Oscar nominated movies I always figured I’d get around to. Why not now? I love that the Christmas movies are back up at Hallmark.

My TBR pile hasn’t been dented in ages so that’s also something I can do. As an introvert, I can enjoy ‘virtual’ people as easily as I can ‘real’ people.

Yes, both of those are stationary pursuits, so I’m also doing my exercise classes on-line. My incredible trainer figured out how to broadcast herself doing our routines, so I sign in and move along with her. Maybe not the same level as I’m used to, but it’s still helping my mood and if I don’t gain a lot of weight – yes! Another activity is spring cleaning. It’s way past time to go through my closet and get rid of things I’m not using. Can’t take it to the women’s shelter right now, but I will soon enough, and I’ll feel good about both helping someone and making room.

Have you always said you wanted to write a book? I know a lot of people think about it. Maybe now’s the time to get down your notes. It can take you away from reality and put you into a creative mood. Same goes for other new pursuits – start that herb garden you always wanted to try or hem those pants that you haven’t gotten around to. I can get my Christmas ornaments out early this year! You might also turn off the news. Remember when news was only on for an hour in the evenings (I do)? It’s too much now, so disengage or turn on a cartoon!

Now obviously I have no young children at home, so I’m trying to remember what we did for Camp Granddar this past summer. We did go to a lot of places and went swimming every day. I’ve never had to home school. That would flummox me completely and my highest praise to those coping with that. I’m encouraging you to share how you’re doing that here as well.

Remember there are free stories on my site – Mountain Christmas and Reunion as well as the flash fiction so indulge yourself!

The first book in my series Rth Rising, The Conall Clan, The Melting all going on sale for $.99 on April 1. And A New Time comes out April 15 (available for pre-order now). All of my books are here for you to check out…

Send me your suggestions – what’s working for you?

First let me say, I love Disney World. I’ve been a dozen times and want to go again. That said… the cracks are beginning to show. At first it was subtle, the automatic toilets didn’t flush automatically, the week before we arrived, a boat on the Jungle Cruise sank. On the Haunted Mansion there was a stoppage as we were getting on and another just before we got off. After we left, it stopped big time with people hanging from the carts. There was a twenty minute stop on Splash Mountain. One of the rides we really looked forward to, was the 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride. It was down off and on all day, up for 10 minutes, down for 90. We never got to ride it. After a long day we headed back to the Polynesian, to find that the monorail was down. We had to take a boat to the transportation center and walk to the hotel.

The next morning we headed for Epcot to find that the monorail for that park didn’t open until 9. One of the reasons for staying on the property was that, in the past, you got to enter the parks an hour early. That’s now gone. There are certain days you can get in early to certain parks. We weren’t there any of those days. Anyway, we had to ride the bus to Epcot. Had a good day there, and all the rides were working.

Did the Cinderella dinner at the Floridian that night and the grandson really took a shine to the lady in the blue dress – Cinderella. The other ladies weren’t as pretty.

The third morning we headed for Disney Hollywood Studios (the old MGM park). To get there we wanted to go to Epcot and ride the sky tram to Hollywood. We waited until the monorail was supposed to start but it was down for maintenance. Now I’m all for maintenance, but it had just been down for 8 hours while the park was closed so it was either really bad maintenance or they missed a heck of an opportunity. So we took the bus to Epcot, walked to the sky tram and rode over. That was a lovely ride. The Star Wars Experience was filled for the day prior to us finishing breakfast (the park wasn’t open yet) so that was out, but I have to say their Star Wars area far surpassed my expectations. I did get to pilot the Millennium Falcon and wander through Tatooine. The Toy Story area is also outstanding. The visuals are incredible, and everything worked (even the toilets).

After three days we were beat, so we headed back a little earlier, thinking we’d rest some before dinner. But when we arrived from Epcot to the transportation center we were told that the monorail was down “indefinitely”. So again, we walked to the Polynesian Resort. (There was a non-mechanical reason for this but still…). We had reservations for dinner at the Floridian and were told we could take a boat, but they weren’t prepared to handle the crowds that would normally ride the monorail, so there weren’t enough boats and when we tried to get one, none came. So we walked to the Floridian. That was the best meal of the trip – highest recs. There was a boat coming back thank the goddess.

All in all we had a lovely trip and like I said, we’ll go back. But maybe since all the other Disney’s around the world are down right now for COVID 19, maybe they should take this opportunity to do the same and spend the time refurbishing the mechanics of some of these older rides. Splash Mountain is 30 years old, The Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise even older. Yes, they’d lose some money. Maybe a million dollars a day on food alone ($14 for a very very weak margarita) but it would really enhance the experience.

I’m very excited to reveal A New Time – the third and final book in The Guardians of Now series. Dusty and Dee time traveled to 1891, as near strangers. They didn’t know why or how, but at least they had each other. Then they returned to a very different present but the reasons were still unknown. Does their new baby daughter, Erica need protection, does Dee?

The reasons for their adventure are finally revealed but not in any way they ever imagined . . .

Available for pre-order now at Amazon

Also available Another Time and A Different Time

Excerpt-

“She is born.”

The Guardian Cael sank onto the closest bench. She never sat in the presence of an Elder, but her legs would no longer support her.

Rather than reprimand her, the Elder sat beside her on the bench, and to Cael’s shock, slipped her arm around Cael’s shoulder.

“Is she well?”

“Yes. I was able to assist the male in getting to the female in time. The Essence appeared confused and frightened, though she now feels safer. She has shielded the planet.”

“Shielded?”

“The Malveks can no longer affect anyone with their ‘mind talkers.’ The mother’s mind is now clear of their interference. I should have seen what was happening to the mother and advised the Essence. She is so strong and untrained. She distanced me from the circumstances.”

“Rest, my child.” The Elder drew Cael’s head down to her shoulder. “You have done all you can for now.”

Cael closed her eyes. The Elder was right.

The Essence was safe for now.

Valentine’s Day! The #1 romantic holiday of the year. It’s time to say thank you to my wonderful readers! How? By giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate. Actually, you have a chance to WIN $20 worth of books! 

No, I am NOT horsing around! Author Nancy Lee Badger and I have pooled our resources together to promote our novels!

Be sure to check out the contest at my new Contest Page! You have one more week to enter

Personally I’ve never really been around horses. I read about them and saw how other girls loved them (See the Trixie Belden books!) but had little to no access growing up. I’ve always liked them and have ridden a few times. That said, I knew they needed to be at least a peripheral part of a series on colonizing another planet. Especially when the goal of the colony is not to harm the planet in ways that happened on the original home planet.

In the first book of the series, horses played a small role in the shirking of Davd and Kat. In this final book, their role is expanded with the moving out onto the planet’s surface. Only Ellon, the stallion has a really good time on the trek from Thirdport to Centerport, but you’ll get an explanation of that later.

These animals, while not pets, are cherished and appreciated for what they now offer the growing colony and I wanted to show my appreciation here as well. I hope you enjoy the story.

Here is Nancy’s take on SPARK and horses:
I have always loved horses. I helped care for a neighbor’s horses and spent several summers at ‘horse camp’. When the idea for a shape-shifting family of lovesick Scottish brother dragons popped into my head, so did the idea of shifting into a horse in order to trot among humans. Evan heads to a village to find a way to interact with humans and get close enough to a red-haired beauty to mate with her. The purple dragon shifts into a copper-colored horse and comes to the beauty’s aid.

When an unfamiliar horse kicks Toal into the creek, releasing Vika from his roaming hands, her appreciation turns to horror. A sputtering Toal demands that the animal die. Anger makes Vika agree to a wager. A three day hunt will determine the fate of the horse she names Spark. Failure will mean his death, and the loss of her freedom. Pirates, wolves, a wild boar, and a handsome stranger lead her on a wild ride. She discovers her heart is in as much danger as her life.

Excerpt from Rth Home –

Davd was still with the council so Kip headed to the stable to see if Situs or Crag needed anything.

“How’s Ellon?” he asked when he found them.

“Better than either of us. I’m ready to head home,” Situs smirked.

Kip chuckled but understood. These two had been away from their wives for a long time. “Question?”

“Sure.”

“Could we make the trip back with only one pack horse?”

“Why would we want to?”

“I’m going to ask Davd if Lida can go back to Garttown with us.”

Both men stared at him for a long moment.

“You can talk,” he offered.

The two exchanged glances. “Why?”

“She has no one here. Lar is using her a slave labor. The women don’t include her.”

“And she wants to come with us?”

“I haven’t asked her yet. I wanted to talk it over with you guys first.”

“Kip, I can tell you’re interested in her, and I can’t blame you. She’s a very attractive woman and I understand. It’s a long trip back.”

“It’ll take less time than getting here because we know a better route. I’m not expecting anything from her. Hoping maybe. That’s really not the reason behind this. I think the culture here is toxic for someone like her, with no male champion. You saw the council.”

Situs frowned. “I wasn’t expecting that. Frack, it never occurred to me. My wife would geld me if I treated her like the women here.” Crag nodded.

“If you’re right about what’s going on, and she wants to come with us, I’m not against it,” Crag offered. “I don’t know her at all. I saw you sitting next to her last night. Do you think she’ll disrupt the trip? She doesn’t know what we know about the planet.”

“Maybe we can practice explaining it to her.”

Situs huffed. “Could be you’re right. We’ll see about rearranging the supplies. There’s Davd now.”

Kip turned to see Davd leaving the mayor’s office. He didn’t appear happy, though he wasn’t steaming like he was at lunch. Great.

“Good luck,” Crag called as Kip headed in Davd’s direction.

“Got a min?” he asked, as he got close.

He saw Davd glance toward the clinic, which was obviously busy. “Sure.”

“I want to ask a favor. I want Lida to come with us when we leave here.”

That brought Davd to a halt and he stared at him. “What?”

“Lida, I don’t want to leave her here. She’s being used as a slave by Lar.” He decided not to mention any possible physical abuse for now. To his surprise, he watched a smile grow on Davd’s face.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“For real?”

Davd nodded. “Have her start packing. The three of us can head back to Nort’s office.”

“I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Go find her. I can’t think of anything that shows what we’re about any better.”

Kip’s grin grew as he turned on his heel and trotted toward the clinic.

Lida was keeping the children occupied to the side of the room, as Kat examined a little girl. The mothers were talking to one another, though none brought Lida into the conversation.

(BTW!! All three Rth RIsing books are now also available in paperback!!)

(Happy 97th Birthday, Daddy – miss you)