Catherine Coulter's Blog: I'm Baaaack!, page 5

December 29, 2021

Wednesday, 29th December -- Rolling toward the end when 2021 is history. It's exciting, as it is every changing of the yearly guards, but also bittersweet.
We have so much rain soon I'll be able to send you some, but not just yet. Our reservoirs are up to 87% and of course those idiots on TV always say, "but we still have a drought" -- you want to shoot them. It's chilly here, in the 40's. We even had a sprinkling of snow close by. Amazing.
Editing is going splendidly. I'm shooting for the 5th of January to send it off to my editor. And then what happens? Well, I wander around the house wondering what to do with myself. Maybe clean out a drawer -- nah -- maybe play Charlie Brown's Christmas and dance a little bit -- that's a possibility. You get so focused, so wrapped up in the characters and what's happening and then suddenly, BAM -- it's all over and they're put to bed and .....
Any suggestions?

December 22, 2021

Wednesday, 22nd December -- Rolling down to Christmas, the excitement builds and it feels so great to have everything done and I can walk around and smile. The weather is very strange -- cloudy, chilly and raining, right now, yesterday, Sunday, goodness, it's going to keep it up. But to get the rain is WONDERFUL.
Okay, I believe the L.A. Rams play this afternoon -- I can't remember who they're playing against, but this is my last chance to be 1-4. If the Rams fold, I'm a big fat ZERO in wins for Week 15. Even if you can't stand the L.A. Rams, cheer for them, maybe your energy will put them in the win column. Let it be my Christmas present, okay?
Obviously no walking today, so my spirit is yours when you're out in the wild singing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen to the critters in the bushes.
Question: What do you think of donating each Christmas to an animal shelter?
Everyone, it's the last Wednesday before Christmas so it means you to prepare eggnog and gingerbread cookies and maybe play some wild music and dance a bit.

December 20, 2021

Monday, 20th December -- This is very painful, but I've got to own it: So far, Week 15: I'm 0-3 (Bucs lost, Patriots lost, Titans lost) I'm still holding out for the Browns and the LA Rams. How are you guys doing so far?
Low 50's here -- sunny/cloudy, rain TOMORROW, yea. So that means a lovely hike today, get off al the depression and calories from yesterday lollygagging around being depressed with my selected football teams. It was really strange, during the Buc/Saints game -- all three of the major Buc's players were hurt and out -- Godwin, Evans and Fournette -- so it was pretty sad.
If you're snowed in or rained in, do stairs people 12 times up and down and do send your spirit to walk with me.

December 16, 2021

Thursday, 16th December -- Okay, it's decided, the humongous cargo ship in the photo -- Everyone voted me correct. It's a gazillion feet long. Now, that's fairly impressive, don't you think?
Tonight the Chargers play the KC Chiefs. I'm going with my heart again (what's new about that?) and I really like Justin Herbert, so I'm picking the Chargers. They're not one of my 5 -- who do you pick for tonight's game?
The December newsletter -- I'm writing it today so you'll get it tomorrow or Saturday -- keep an eye out.
Rain again today, so alas, no hike. Please sing more carols with me on your walk today -- my spirit swells at the thought.

December 14, 2021

Tuesday, 14th December -- well, the game last night between the Rams and the Cardinals was the most exciting I've seen so far this season. the Rams won, but you really didn't care, it was so excellent. Also, the Warriors pulled it out and beat the Pacers. So all is good in the sports world.
No rain today, but it really dumped last night and Sunday -- we'll have more in a couple of days, give the ground a chance to dry out a bit -- don't want mud sliders.
I'm editing like a bandit which requires lots of concentration so I can't think of Christmas presents under the tree, or Eli wondering why he can't go outside. But if I open the door and he has his harness on, he gives me the stink eye like I'm an idiot, don't I see it's pouring rain?
Walk today, damp and chilly, but gotta do it, gotta keep the bod tuned up. You with me?

December 10, 2021

Friday, 10th December -- Christmas Party today -- what joy and fun and smiles and FOOD!
The Steelers did wake up and say, what? You want us to play football? Really? And so they did and it was off by one touchdown, but they couldn't pull it off at the end -- a pity they didn't wake up sooner. I'll post my Week 14 picks tomorrow -- reason? I don't have the list printed out yet.
No hike today, too much dessert and presents and Christmas carols (do you know them all like I do?)
Happy Friday!!!!!

December 2, 2021

Thursday, 2nd December -- Can you believe it? Week 13 NFL football beginning tonight with Cowboys against the Saints. This won't be one of my picks, but of course it could be one of yours. In any case, for fun, I'm picking the Saints to win. I'll post my 5 picks tomorrow, so get ready to post yours.
Editing is vastly different from original writing and I find it very enjoyable. I'm reworking what I've already written, hoping to make it better, stronger, more stream-lined. Today it's the denouement with Kirra and Griffin. Yesterday, I wrote their Epilogue -- I think, I hope all of you will really like it.
Today, out there this afternoon in the brilliant sunshine, the temp about 65 degrees, hiking the ocean trail, I think. It's always so de-stressing to simply look out over the water, watch the waves hit the beach or the rocks and you realize it was the same for thousands of years and people, just like you and me, (maybe nicer hair) stood there and watched it too. And I wonder what they were thinking and feeling -- they certainly had vastly different concerns from yours and mine, like where do we get dinner today?
Everyone, it's an amazing day. Do not waste it. Set yourself a goal to accomplish today and do it. Mine is finishing editing the denouement chapter and begin decorating the Christmas tree. It really feels good. And that makes me think about Christmas cards -- I swear I'm going to write them during the football games on Sunday since I only have 5 more presents to wrap. I know, you're are all done -- you're too virtuous.

December 1, 2021

Wednesday, 1st December -- Oh wow, finally I get to write December -- and now counting down and there's still so much to do -- but you know what? It's fun, it makes you smile and we always play Charlie Brown's Christmas while decorating the tree and that of course means dancing. We decorate the living room dining room, kitchen today and tomorrow -- Yep, I'll post photos.
EXCELLENT NEWS: I finished RECKONING yesterday!!!! Now, it's back to the beginning to edit and clean up all the little nonsense that creeps in and untangle the plot threads that always, without fail, get tangled up. And get names straight -- I'm always changing a minor character's name, why? No clue. So I met my goal and finished the book by the end of November. I'd say there's another full month for edits, with the holidays, maybe longer.
I feel a happy song coming on -- Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a -- you can finish singing the song for me, in spirit.
It's the usual not-quite-winter day here, high of 68 and of course sunny. Rain, where are you? Have we sinned? You're punishing us? Please no. Some rain chants and dances, please --

November 30, 2021

Tuesday, 30th November -- Getting there, getting there -- very nearly December and that means no more procrastinating, no more thinking about putting up your Christmas decorations or getting Uncle Tommy a lovely hardcover, like one titled VORTEX. Then again, too, there's Aunt Mildred and your second cousin who's moved recently into your area who isn't a reader but should be (Might I suggest The Cove?) Then there's going to be your tree -- and how will you decorate it? I use the big colored ball garlands, so many it's hard to see the tree beneath -- I'll show you, post some photos.
And in addition to getting ready for the beautiful holidays coming up, you must, absolutely must, keep your bod in top-flight condition. You've got off the couple of pounds that landed on your thighs at Thanksgiving -- so firm everything up before Christmas -- get out there and hike. Everyone is so happy I've noticed and also everyone has at least one dog -- some three or four -- and the dogs are so excited to be outside and running around and sniffing everything and galloping up to you, a stranger, and you stick out your hand and soon the dog has another friend. All is good.

November 27, 2021

Saturday, 27th November -- So who's out shopping their brains out today? For the first time I think "Black Friday" started near the end of October or thereabouts and surely it will continue for another week. Who's gotten some deals? Are there deals out there? Or are you mostly still shopping online? And who cares? It's family for Thanksgiving and it's family for Christmas, that's what's important, and the presents -- oh my I do love presents both giving and receiving, but one thing? Please no more turkey!
Gorgeous here today, as usual, after all it's winter, which means it'll get up to the mid sixties, which is perfect for hiking. Sun bright overhead. Is it a Cantina day? I'll have to think about that -- I wonder if they're trying to peddle turkey tacos.
Everyone, it's a perfect day to smile and deliver random acts of kindness. Facebook is screwing around with me -- let's see what's written and currently hiding from me --