Cindy A. Christiansen's Blog

Anxiety or Depression: Whatever Works

 

What some difficult times we have all been through. Obviously, I have not been writing or keeping up my blog, or doing anything of a fun nature. Both of my sons are on the spectrum and need residential services. This year, that system collapsed. My oldest son had to move home because we couldn’t find a provider who could hire staff to support their clients. A lot of providers shut down.

It wasn’t just us. Many disabled children and adults either had to move back home with their families or ended up homeless. It’s really a travesty. There are many things wrong with the system, and I’m still fighting for change.

Through it all, both of my sons have struggled with depression and so have I. The suicide prevention hotline got a few extra calls. I’ve been through some stressful episodes with my heart. I share this because all of us have had especially difficult times the last couple of years. In order to cope, I went searching for some online help. I didn’t find quite what I was looking for in help with depression. Everything just seemed to be a distraction and the minute the activity was over; I would start panicking again. Thus, my search for help with anxiety instead of depression.

Here are some things I’ve found helpful. I don’t take credit for any of the ideas. I hope they will help you too.

 

Reducing Anxiety and Stress

 

1. Remember that it will pass

During a panic attack, it can help to remember that these feelings will pass and cause no physical harm, however scary it feels at the time.

 

2. Take deep breaths

Deep breathing can help bring a panic attack under control.

Try to breathe slowly and deeply, concentrating on each breath. Breathe deeply from the abdomen, filling the lungs slowly and steadily while counting to 4 on both the inhale and the exhale.

 

3. Smell some lavender

A soothing scent can help relieve anxiety by tapping into the senses, helping the person stay grounded and giving them something to focus on. Lavender is a common traditional remedy known for bringing about a sense of calm relaxation. 

 

4. Find a peaceful spot

Sights and sounds can often intensify a panic attack. If possible, try to find a more peaceful spot. Sitting in a quiet place will create some mental space, and it will make it easier to focus on breathing and other coping strategies.

 

5. Focus on an object

When a person becomes overwhelmed with distressing thoughts, feelings, or memories, concentrating on something physical in the environment can help them feel grounded.

Focusing on one stimulus can reduce other stimuli. As the person looks at the item, they may want to think about how it feels, who made it, and what shape it is. This technique can help reduce the symptoms of a panic attack.

 

6. The 5-4-3-2-1 method

Panic attacks can make a person feel detached from reality. This is because the intensity of the anxiety can overtake other senses. The 5-4-3-2-1 method is a type of grounding technique and a type of mindfulness. It helps direct the person’s focus away from sources of stress. To use this method, the person should complete each of the following steps slowly and thoroughly:

·       Look at 5 separate objects. Think about each one for a short while.

·       Listen for 4 distinct sounds. Think about where they came from and what sets them apart.

·       Touch 3 objects. Consider their texture, temperature, and what their uses are.

·       Identify 2 different smells. This could be the smell of your coffee, your soap, or the laundry detergent on your clothes.

·       Name 1 thing you can taste. Notice whatever taste is in your mouth, or try tasting a piece of candy.

 

7. Repeat a mantra

A mantra is a word, phrase, or sound that helps with focus and provides strength. Internally repeating a mantra can help a person come out of a panic attack.

The mantra can take the form of reassurance and may be as simple as, “This too shall pass.” For some, it may have a more spiritual meaning. As the person focuses on gently repeating a mantra, their physical responses will slow, allowing them to regulate their breathing and relax their muscles.

 

8. Walk or do some light exercise

Walking can remove a person from a stressful environment, and the rhythm of walking may also help them regulate their breathing. Moving around releases hormones called endorphins that relax the body and improve mood. Taking up regular exercise can help reduce anxiety over time, which may lead to a reduction in the number or severity of panic attacks.

 

9. Try muscle relaxation techniques

Another symptom of panic attacks is muscle tension. Practicing muscle relaxation techniques may help limit an attack. This is because if the mind senses that the body is relaxing, other symptoms — such as rapid breathing — may also diminish. This involves tensing up and then relaxing various muscles in turn. To do this:

1.    Hold the tension for 5 seconds.

2.    Say “relax” as you release the muscle.

3.    Let the muscle relax for 10 seconds before moving on to the next muscle.

 

10. Picture your happy place

A person’s happy place should be somewhere they would feel most relaxed. The specific place will be different for everybody. It will be somewhere they feel relaxed, safe, and calm. When an attack begins, it can help to close the eyes and imagine being in this place. Think of how calm it is there. People can also imagine their bare feet touching the cool soil, hot sand, or soft rugs.

 

I hope to continue moving forward in helping my sons, but also get back to writing and enjoying a few simple things.

 

Best wishes,

 

Cindy A. Christiansen

Clean & Wholesome Action/Adventure Romance

 

 

 

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Things You Don’t Forget: The Big, Fat Apple!

My best friend looks gorgeous in red! Red clothes, red shoes, red lipstick…

I have never been so bold as to wear red. My brain tells me it’s not my place. It’s not appropriate. It’s not you!

One day, I was shopping for clothes; a task I hate. And, I saw this beautiful, red, shimmery blouse…in my large size. I loved it! Maybe for my friend. I was me after all. But, my best friend isn’t a small woman. She can wear red. Why can’t I?

Because it’s not your place. It’s not appropriate. It’s not you!

I loved the shimmery, red blouse.

I walked away.

I stopped.

I turned around and walked back. I picked it up and went and tried it on.

For a second, I looked in the mirror and thought… “You look beautiful!”

My brain told me it’s not appropriate.

But I really felt special. I took off the red blouse and put it in my cart. I went home and hung it in my closet; the only red item on the rack.

The first time I had a chance to wear it was at a dinner party with a group of old friends. I was happy. I felt pretty. I felt bold. I felt good about myself. I had a wonderful time. Friends were snapping photos of everyone. What a liberating moment!

I came home joyous and started looking at social media to see what everyone was posting about the evening. There I was in my beautiful, red, shimmery blouse…smiling with my friends.

The first comment I saw said, “Look at that big, fat apple in the middle.”

Yeah, yeah. I’m supposed to say something inspiring here. Not care. Not let it bother me. Don’t base my self-worth on what other people think. My brain said, “See! I told you it’s not your place. It’s not appropriate. It’s not you!”

I never wore that beautiful, red blouse again.

That’s not what you wanted to hear, is it?

Why don’t people take seriously the thought that words canreally hurt? The brain remembers them no matter what logic you throw at it; especially a brain that’s been telling you the same thing your whole life. That one comment. That one, thoughtless comment.

Take from my experience what you want. End the story your way. Let me here your comments.

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Communicating Through Your Spirit

 

I have been chronically ill for over forty years. That means I’ve been in chronic pain for that long too. Not just with one chronic illness, but several many. I have had to learn how to avoid and ignore my pain and set it aside.

You can’t be thinking about how your stomach hurts or your head hurts if you are trying to concentrate on someone else’s words or emotions. Believe me, I have been there and remember very little of those communications. Sometimes, it can’t be helped, especially with migraine-type headaches.

There are times in life, though, where you really need to connect with another person. Whether it’s critical information, an emotional event in someone else’s life where you need to be present, or a learning experience that can’t be accomplished later, sometimes you have to separate from the pain/fatigue/sickness/brain fog and be totally present.

I’m not sure I can explain the mental process needed to communicate through your spirit, but it can be done. If you are religious, you may believe that the Holy Ghost is helping with this process. Either way, I go to a spot in my body (usually my head) that doesn’t feel the pain. To me, it is not my mortal body but my spirit who doesn’t feel the pain and can freely respond without the mortal confines of my body.

I think of this glowing ball of energy that is free of pain. The thoughts, emotions, and information flow from this spot, undeterred of restrictions. Picture it flowing easily from you to someone else like a stream of lighted energy. It is really inspiring. For that moment in time, there is no pain, just the free-flow of inspiration—from your heart to theirs.

Yes afterward, the symptoms slowly return and you may find yourself a little exhausted from the experience. But, it is a good fatigue, filled with enlightenment and joy.

I believe most writers write from their spirits. Have you ever experienced this phenomenon? How would you describe it? Share your comments below.

 

Cindy A. Christiansen

Action/Adventure Romance with humor and…dogs!

http://www.dragonflyromance.com

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Some Farm Girl I Am!

 

I have a confession to make.

I grew up on a farm, but I’m not much of a farm girl. As an author and lover of western stories, I guess it hurts my pride to admit I’ve never milked a cow. I mean, what would readers think to know that I never participated in many of the farming tasks we did.

Let’s take, for example, the milking. My older sister took that job in the nice warm milk barn with a radio while I did all the rest of the chores feeding the cows, sheep, hogs, horses and dragging hoses from the well on the property all the way down to the pens, breaking ice and withstanding blizzards or tolerating extraordinary heat.

What do people ask me first? Did you milk the cows? No, I didn’t get to do that. The other reason I missed out on that chore was that when I was 12, I was racing to grind grain for the hogs and I got my right hand caught in the belt to the motor and cut three of my fingers 9/10ths of the way off. That took some recovery time, years in fact, and I never regained the ability to bend and grasp with those fingers, thereby limiting my ability to milk.

And although I helped butcher animals, my dad never had us “girls” participate in the shooting of animals. I can say I’m definitely happy about that. But I did help hold the innards while a beef was skinned, and I helped scrape the hair off a hog with a bell. I helped in our meat house, too, cutting and wrapping the meat for the freezer.

Another task I rarely performed was gathering the eggs. There was something about pecking and chickens that really bothered me. It could be that I have always had a phobia about birds in numbers. Or it could have been that I'm allergic to chicken feathers. I’m not sure. Anyway, I could usually get my sister to gather the eggs while I feed and watered them. I still had trouble breathing in the coop.

That leads us to the next question I get asked a lot: Were you a horsewoman? Well, I cringe at that question. Truth be told, I didn’t get to ride…much. When I was three years old, my older brother put me and my sister on a horse bareback and we fell off when the horse lunged over a ditch. My sister fell on top of me and I broke my left arm.

When I was around ten-years-old, we loaded our horses and took them up Butterfield Canyon for a ride. My dad saddled the horses and put me and my sister on a horse named Shack. He mounted and headed up the canyon. Shack would not move. We did everything we could to get her to move and she wouldn’t. Dad came back, slipped us to the ground, and mounted her himself. She wouldn’t move. He gave her a good kick with the heels of his boots and she reared up and over, crushing Dad into the driver’s door of the truck. We found out later there was a cocklebur under the saddle that had been in the back of the truck.

Dad broke a rib that punctured his lung. There we were—up the canyon, Dad couldn’t drive and I and my sister were too young to drive. Thankfully, my older sister knew enough from learning how to drive the tractor that she managed to drive us home without the horses and the trailer. My mom rushed my dad to the hospital and my brothers went back up the canyon for the horses and trailer.

After that catastrophe, we sold all the horses and never had them again for a long time. Our next adventure was motorcycles, but that’s another story.

It wasn’t until my dad and brother rescued a horse that had been abused and locked inside a barn with no sunshine for the first year of its life that I took an interest in horses again. I watched my brother patiently work with this colt he named Pongo. She was part Clydesdale and grew into a beautiful, fine horse. My greatest joy was getting to ride her, but horsewoman? No, not me.

And then there were my allergies. I remember taking my dad a quart bottle of ice water while he was cutting hay. I climbed on the tractor to ride with him while he continued cutting so that I could take the bottle back to the house with me. After a round or two, Dad stopped and let me off. My eyes itched and my vision started going fuzzy. I could see my mom hanging wash on the clothesline and then I couldn’t see anything. All was dark. I tried to feel my way. I reached out and felt the barbed-wire fence. My mom was watching me stumble to the yard. She called out my name as I entangled with the fence.

She managed to get me to the house and put cold compresses on my swollen shut eyes. A farm girl allergic to hay. Oh, and hey, that’s not all. With future allergy testing I found out I’m allergic to pretty much everything outdoors…and indoors…and dogs and horses and wool and chickens and melons and fresh vegetables and fruits and… Well, you get the point. I grew up on a farm in which I was totally allergic to everything. My youth was one of itching, scratching, trouble breathing, and even hives.

Is it surprising I feel embarrassed? Some farm girl I turned out to be. It doesn’t mean I sat in the house and didn’t haul hay, ride horses or feed the chickens. I just remember feeling so miserable. Not exactly a fun experience.

Interestingly enough, I have chosen to still deal with allergies. I love dogs and the doctors have said I should never own a dog. That to me would be a horrible existence. This farm girl needs something to remind her of her youth. For me, it just happens to be an itchy nose.

P.S. You'll never see a western love scene in one of my books where the couple is laying in the hay or in the straw. The whole idea makes my eyes itch and my nose run.

Cindy A. Christiansen

Clean & Wholesome Action/Adventure Romance with Humor…and Dogs!

http://www.dragonflyromance.com

 

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Christmas Is Not Always Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!

Christmas should be a joyous time to remember family and friends and the birth of the Savior. Unfortunately for many, it is a time of depression and sadness for the losses we have experienced over the last year and the years that came before. I know it is true for me.

This year has been particularly difficult with the tension-filled election, lockdowns, the widespread pandemic, natural disasters, and deaths. Honestly, who hasn't been affected? As I keep telling my two autistic, adult sons, "This isn't just about you. Everyone has been affected."

My family has had many setbacks this year other than the ones listed above. Maybe your family has too. So where does that leave us? Resenting Christmas? Denying Christmas? Refusing Christmas? Is that really possible? I don't think so. As the Grinch said, "Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any presents at all! He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same!"

I had an experience that really impacted me this year. When I received a statement saying I owed $10,000, I took the letter, crumpled it, and threw it across the room. I refused to deal with it. I was angry, bitter, scared, frustrated, overwhelmed and I just refused to accept that in order to prove I didn’t owe that money, I had to just do the work. I didn’t like the way I felt. I even felt suicidal; like giving up.

But then I realized, all of those emotions were only hurting me. I needed to accept it and just do it. And, you know, it worked!

Another thing I tell my sons when they are struggling is, “Ride the waves.” It was an original Magnum P.I. episode that caused me to make that realization. Tom Selleck is caught out in the ocean and has to tread water for hours, waiting for a rescue. Sharks keep surfacing around him. He keeps calm and rides the waves to stay alive. This advice has helped my family tremendously.

Here are some other suggestions to help us this holiday season:

Acknowledge your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.

Reach out to others if you feel lonely or isolated. You might not be able to do it in person, but there are lots of other ways such as: texts, calls, video chats, community websites, online support groups, social media sites or virtual events.

Volunteer. Volunteering your time can also lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.

Be realistic in your planning. Don’t try to outdo yourself on what you think is the perfect holiday. Enjoy yourself instead.

Acceptance. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. By expecting perfection from yourself and everyone around you, you set yourself up for disappointment.

Stick to a budget. As the Grinch found out, it’s not about things. It’s the feeling you have in your heart.

Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed.

Eat healthy meals. Eating too much or too many sweets can make you feel ill and depressed.

Get plenty of sleep. Getting your rest will help with mood on a large scale.

Take a breather. Make some time for yourself for an activity you enjoy or to find some inner calm.

Seek professional help if you need it. There is nothing to be ashamed of in admitting you are human and need a little extra help. Here is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

So, take a few deep breaths and ride the waves this holiday season. Know that you are not alone.

Happy Holidays,

Cindy

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Fatal Fossils: Clean & Wholesome Action/Adventure Romance is Here!

 

Finally! Fatal Fossils is here!So happy to share my latest novella with you. What a year! Am I right? Speaking of right, I've hardly had time to write. So it's great to be sharing this news with you. 
 Her world is black and white. He believes justice should be tempered with mercy. Is love on the docket or will black-market fossil thieves kill them first?
 
Story-line: Do-gooder Criminal Law Professor Mia Morgan wanted nothing more than to enjoy a Jurassic car tour with her little Yorkshire terrier, Cookie. What a shock to find stolen dinosaur fossils in the back of her car. Who put them there and will it get her killed?
 
Reserved Ranger Joe Parker likes his peaceful life as a law enforcement ranger in Dinosaur National Monument, Utah. That is, until he encounters Mia with three stolen priceless fossils from the park in her possession. Now, black market collectors have them fleeing and fighting for their lives.
 
Can Joe soften Mia’s fossilized heart before they both end up dead?
 I hope you are as excited about this story as I am! It is already up for pre-order on Amazon to release on November 16th! I would appreciate opening release day orders to drive up Amazon's interest. You can pre-order at: https://amzn.to/3jZ1x6B. I will let you know when it is available in paperback and with other distributors.While I have your attention, I would really appreciate more reviews. Yes, I know you are extremely busy, but just a short line and a star review would be awesome. As I've said, it is necessary to get Amazon's attention. (You know, needle in a haystack.) I have added the links at the bottom of this newsletter.

Oh, one other thing I might mention, I am offering some of my ebook novellas for free if you buy one of my full-length ebooks:Buy  Time Will Tell  and receive  Worth the Wait !
Buy  Broken Deeds, Broken Hearts  and receive  Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts !
Buy  Hazardous Hideaway  and receive  Risky Seeds, Risky Hearts !All you have to do is click on the link in the ebook to get it for free.

Well, I hope all is well with all of you!

Stay safe and know that we will all get through this,

CindyA Clean Romance:  AMAZON REVIEW
Braving the Blaze:  AMAZON REVIEW
Broken Deeds, Broken Hearts:  AMAZON REVIEW
Caskets and Corruption:  AMAZON REVIEW
Christmas Spoons:  AMAZON REVIEW
Fortune for Fools (A Merchant Street Mystery, Book #3):  AMAZON REVIEW
Fraudulent Flights:  AMAZON REVIEW
Hawk Mountain Heist:  AMAZON REVIEW
Hazardous Hideaway:  AMAZON REVIEW
Hunted Love (A Merchant Street Mystery, Book #2):  AMAZON REVIEW
 (Previously Hunting for Happenstance (A Merchant Street Mystery, Book #2)
Last Will and Lethal:  AMAZON REVIEW
Legacy of Lies:  AMAZON REVIEW
Love on Laird Avenue:  AMAZON REVIEW
Not Quite Zen:  AMAZON REVIEW
Risky Seed, Risky Hearts:  AMAZON REVIEW
Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts:  AMAZON REVIEW
Time Will Tell (A Merchant Street Mystery, Book #1):  AMAZON REVIEW
Worth the Wait (A Merchant Street Mystery Prequel):  AMAZON REVIEWCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

The World of This Romance Writer

 

Yes, I’ve been writing for a number of years, and I have seen the world of writing change drastically, from the collapse of brick-n-mortar bookstores, to Kindle Unlimited, to Amazon accepting books given for free, and to the closure of many publishing houses because of all of the changes.

 

As a writer, it is hard to compete with free. Most readers are willing to tolerate poorly written books with no substance because they can easily move to the next free book. It has certainly put a strain on authors trying to make a living at writing. It has turned the focus of writing well-written books to becoming a professional promotion artist instead. If you don’t keep up on how to market your books and keep current, you might as well give up the ship.

 

Many excellent authors have given up writing all together. After all, their love was writing, not promotion. I know for me; I have continued writing and have not known what has been happening behind the scenes (facepalm) until I took a class on the subject. Boy, were my eyes opened wide. I wasn’t doing anything correctly. In fact, I wasn’t doing anything at all. I put my books out there but had no idea the world of writing would continue to change and morph.

 

When I chose my tagline years ago, I never dreamed the market would change and come to mean something different. My tag-line was: Sweet Romantic Suspense, with Humor…and Dogs! Here’s a look at a few things that have changed while I have been busy living life:

The sub-category of romance known as romantic suspense has become more about heroes in high positions (FBI, Navy SEALS, CIA) rescuing heroines. Really! When I started writing, romance had given up the concept of heroes saving damsels in distress. Heroines had to be capable and competent to save themselves, or the two had to work together to save themselves. I still prefer to think of my heroines as competent and capable. Also, I have always written heroes who are common, every day men who are heroes. They didn’t have to hold some title. Where have I been?So, I started researching what new category my books now fit in.  I found a new category called action/adventure romance. The simple definition is: a story that has a quest, a search for some important object/person/thing, that gives the story its adventure feel.But, that wasn’t all I learned while out exploring the changes to romance writing. Apparently, the term “sweet” romance has been taken over by erotica writers to mean their male heroes are not alpha-males. What?A new category of romance has come to fruition called bully romance. In these books, the hero dominates the heroine and treats her badly. You may be saying, “Well, that’s called a dark romance.” No, dark romance has also changed. It has become even darker and can include no consent from the heroine, rape, torture, slavery etc. There often times is no redeeming qualities in the hero, and they don’t turn around like in the old dark romances.Bully romance is now when the hero treats the heroine poorly but she still falls in love with him. There is no guarantee that by the end of the book that he will have changed his ways. In these two types of romance, the hero is called an alpha-male. That’s why erotica romance writers have taken over the term “sweet” to mean there are no alpha-male heroes in their book. As I said, categories and terminology have changed over the years.Sweet used to mean there were no sex scenes and no offensive language. Obviously, you may now run across an erotic romance touting that it is sweet. It is definitely something to be aware of since there is no rating system on books. I have changed by category to clean and wholesome romance; more specifically, clean and wholesome action/adventure romance.Another thing that has changed in the romance writing world is book covers. Who knew? Covers are more simplistic with bold, large titles and author names. It has required me to have all my covers recreated. This part of the journey, I enjoyed. Working with my cover artist, Dawne Dominique was wonderful. I’m sure you know that writing and art are equally satisfying to me. Dawne did a fantastic job recreating my covers. Her company name is: www.dusktildawndesigns.com. I gave a hand to some of my novella covers too. I learned a great deal watching Youtube videos. I’ve spent the last two months on all of these changes as well as restructuring categories, finding keywords, email automation, editing metadata and book descriptions, finding reviews, calculating giveaways, offering free books and updating my website, blog, etc. What I haven’t done is write a new book. I have also successfully helped three family members through COVID-19 during this time. A feat in itself. Time marches on, and I know the market will continue to change. For now, I want to escape through my characters and find a happy place while all of the turmoil continues on in this world.

 

Happy Reading,

 

Cindy A. Christiansen

Clean & Wholesome Action/Adventure Romance with Humor…and Dogs!

http://www.dragonflyromance.com

 

 

 

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Book Release: Last Will and Lethal!

Escape into a good book! Check out my latest release - Last Will and Lethal!  This novella will be available on July 1, 2020.

Blurb: When conscientious Nora Moretti offers to give a statement on behalf of a stranger who has been accused of killing his own grandfather, her life is suddenly in jeopardy.
Pacifist Nick DeLuca is extremely honorable and studying to become an anesthesiologist. So, when his own family thinks he's guilty of murder, he's reliant on a stranger to save his good name and future.
What everyone wants to know, including Nora's French Bulldog, Renoir, is: Does an inheritance really bring out the worst in everyone?

Last Will and Lethal will be available online at most book retailers and in paperback through Amazon.  Be kind and leave a review!
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet romance, humor, suspense...and dogs!http://www.dragonflyromance.comCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Hand Washing: No, no, no! Do it again!

Do you remember the big sinks in the classrooms in elementary school?
I do.
I grew up on a small farm with well water. My dad (who was claustrophobic) had to hand dig the well deeper to access the underground water. Can you imagine going down that small hole with a shovel and being petrified at the same time? I’m not sure I could have done it.
The well had a pump that used banana tree rods to reach the bottom and pump the water. Getting parts was extremely difficult. Needless to say, water was a coveted commodity in our family. You never left the water running, you washed your hands quickly, shared the bath water that was only two inches deep with the other family members and never let the water run down the drain until the water turned cold for a nice, cold glass of water.
To this day, the sound of running water does not relax me. It stresses me out! I hear my mom or dad yelling, “Shut the water off!” Anyway, back to elementary school. I remember standing in line at that huge sink stained with poster paints to wash our hands before we went to lunch. Our teacher would stand next to us and watch us use the soap and clean our hands. She kept the water continuously flowing (on low, mind you, but still running the whole time) as each student washed their hands and dried them on one of those old white cloth towel dispensers.
I must say, this caused me anxiety every day as I listened to that running water going down, down, down the sink. I washed quickly, tapped my hands on the edge of the sink so I didn’t drip to the towel dispenser. “No, no, no!” my teacher would say, frowning. “You’ve touched the sink. You’ve contaminated your hands. Go to the end of the line and do it again.”
Do you think that stressed me even more?
Yeah, you’re right.
At home, the kitchen hand towel was not by the sink. It was across the room attached to the wall. Mom didn’t want you to drip water clear across the floor so you had to shake the water off your hands and you could do a much better job if you tapped them against the edge of the sink. Great for home, bad for school.
Today in the midst of the pandemic, we are constantly washing our hands. Do I still have anxiety about wasting water, touching the edge of the sink, dripping water across the floor and hearing voices say, “No, no, no! Do it again?”
You better believe I do.
Stay safe. Stay well, Wash your hands!





Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs!
Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Interview with Author Gail Pallotta!

I am honored to feature Author Gail Pallotta on my blog! She has cooked up an new book called, Cooking up a Mystery. Let's check in with her and see what she has to share:
When my publisher asked how much of my life I put into Cooking up a Mystery , I couldn’t help but smile.

The story’s about a young woman, Laney, who pulls herself from the jaws of poverty after her parents die and her husband leaves her for another woman. That is after she sent him to dental school instead of going to college herself. She inherited the tea house she and her mom started in her mother’s kitchen. She doesn’t know how she can run it without her mother’s help, but George, her assistant says, “You ... have your mom’s wonderful recipes and you whip them up like a pro.”

That’s where I come in with my real life experience. I learned to cook when I was ten years old. The reason, according to my father—I’d know how when I got married. I didn’t marry until I was thirty. By then, I’d received lots of instruction, so I knew how to prepare some pretty good dinners. After we were married my husband said, “You could start a restaurant.” I wanted to do other things instead, such as write, but I started one in this book.

However, cooking is only part of the story. Here’s the rest of it:

Laney’s on edge from the emotional scars left by her parents’ deaths and her husband’s betrayal. Then she hears unexplained noises in the kitchen in the tea house, and her anxiety is tripled. Add a budding romance with Eric—a guy with a fear of commitment—and it's all too much to handle. She cuts ties with Eric and plunges into making her business pay off.

When Eric discovers that Laney's in danger, he vows to protect her. But can he make a lasting promise? Will she trust him? . . .and when they overhear a threat that could cause national turmoil, will anyone believe them? There's more brewing than herbal tea in Cooking up a Mystery .

The recipes in the back of the book in the Laney’s Chefs in the Making section are supplied by a charitable organization, Mission Love Seeds. They’re taken from Heavenly Delights , a book authored by Pam Nichols Griffin. The group helps children throughout the world and responds locally after disasters to demonstrate God’s love. They’re online at missionloveseeds.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/120924667405/.

Laney shares her recipe for Pineapple Rice:

Ingredients:

Rice (can be instant, but not boil-in-the-bag)

Cooking oil or spray

One small onion (chopped thin)

Five cloves garlic (or minced gloves equaling five cloves)

One tablespoon fresh grated ginger

One cup fresh pineapple

Small amount of pineapple juice

One teaspoon sugar

One lime

Procedure:
Cook rice according to directions on the box, but substitute a couple of tablespoons to 1/4 cup pineapple juice (depending on taste) for part of the water. Chill rice.

Coat a heavy bottom skillet with oil. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, pineapple and sugar and stir. Add cold rice, break up, squirt with the juice of one lime and stir until heated and blended.




I think this book sounds delicious to read. I can't wait to read it! I wish you much success, Gail. The release date is April 24th. Here's where you can purchase her book:

Buy Cooking Up A Mystery

on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Cooking-up-Mystery-Gail-Pallotta-ebook/dp/B085LJMH5V/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Cooking+Up+A+Mystery+by+gail+pallotta&qid=1584709195&s=books&sr=1-1

Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cooking-up-a-mystery-gail-pallotta/1136612098?ean=9781522398806

Pelican - https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1468


Bio: Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner and a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Nominee. She’s published six books, poems, short stories and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers. Visit her website at https://gailpallotta.com.



Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs!
Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com




Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author