Chris Keniston's Blog, page 11
October 16, 2023
Happy Monday
I’m here in Austin for the weekend with family. I love visiting family. It’s probably why I love writing about family. I am an only child so I don’t have tons of siblings and immediate nieces and nephews, but I have so many first and second cousins and ‘nieces and nephews’ that there is never a shortage of family.
Every family keeps track of relatives differently. We all know the ‘technical’ lineage. For instance my first cousin’s daughter is technically my first cousin once removed, but in our family, anyone young enough to be your child is a niece of nephew and you become their aunt or uncle. All cousins are just – cousins. And I actually am still in contact with third cousins! For those of you who don’t keep track of lineage – third cousins share the same great great grandparents! Imagine that.
And the funnier thing, is because we have all stayed in touch – there are a few family traits that we can pinpoint where they must come from. For instance. My mom has a second cousin on my grandmother’s maternal side who if food does not burn your tongue then it’s cold and not edible. My mother is the same way. But so is my second cousin on my grandmother’s side. To muddy the waters a little more for you – lol – my cousin is the granddaughter of my grandmother’s brother. So my mom and my cousin could have inherited that trait from either of my grandmother’s parents’ families. But – because my mother’s second cousin also has that trait – we know it comes from my grandmother’s maternal side! I find stuff like that fascinating.
On my mother’s side of the family we can actually trace both my grandparents paternal lineage all the way back to the late 1400s – that is truly mind-boggling!
Anyhow, this Friday Just One Shot goes off to the final editor. I sure hope y’all enjoy Siobhan’s story – I’m trying really hard to do her justice!
Okay - Here's a photo of my morning view as I drink my tea and write this blog. Welcome to Texas Hill Country!
Every family keeps track of relatives differently. We all know the ‘technical’ lineage. For instance my first cousin’s daughter is technically my first cousin once removed, but in our family, anyone young enough to be your child is a niece of nephew and you become their aunt or uncle. All cousins are just – cousins. And I actually am still in contact with third cousins! For those of you who don’t keep track of lineage – third cousins share the same great great grandparents! Imagine that.
And the funnier thing, is because we have all stayed in touch – there are a few family traits that we can pinpoint where they must come from. For instance. My mom has a second cousin on my grandmother’s maternal side who if food does not burn your tongue then it’s cold and not edible. My mother is the same way. But so is my second cousin on my grandmother’s side. To muddy the waters a little more for you – lol – my cousin is the granddaughter of my grandmother’s brother. So my mom and my cousin could have inherited that trait from either of my grandmother’s parents’ families. But – because my mother’s second cousin also has that trait – we know it comes from my grandmother’s maternal side! I find stuff like that fascinating.
On my mother’s side of the family we can actually trace both my grandparents paternal lineage all the way back to the late 1400s – that is truly mind-boggling!
Anyhow, this Friday Just One Shot goes off to the final editor. I sure hope y’all enjoy Siobhan’s story – I’m trying really hard to do her justice!
Okay - Here's a photo of my morning view as I drink my tea and write this blog. Welcome to Texas Hill Country!
October 9, 2023
Better late than never
I've always wondered if this is really true. Are there some things that late just doesn't cut it?
I'm hoping this blog isn't one of them.
I'm making small - very small - progress on Siobhan's story. Our family had a bit of a shock last week when my husband's brother had a heart attack and passed very unexpectedly. This has rocked our family for several reasons. We've always looked at my husband's family as being genetically long lived. My mother in law passed at 91, her mother in her mid nineties, most of her siblings on either side of ninety with only a couple of exceptions (mother in law was one of ten). Now - a sense of mortality is knocking at the door.
The hard part is that the two brothers share a few similar traits, the most problematic, a dislike for regular checkups or doctor visits. The other challenge is convincing them of a need for changing bad habits for good one. I'll let you know if I succeed in talking him into at least walking every day with me - not holding my breath, but going to give it the college try.
the other challenge for families that live half a country away is wondering if more could have been done. If things should have been said. Always a hard thing second guessing ourselves.
As a result, what should take me only a short while is taking a very long while. As in this blog that's hours late.
On the upside, my cousin and his three sons came over Sunday to help clear weeds. I have quite a good size yard and more weeds than plants. Now the front of the house looks nice and tidy. Not magazine worthy, but pleasantly tidy. I'm very happy to not be the messiest house on the block anymore.
lastly, for folks who have followed my kitchen renovations, it has been mostly done for months, but around my travels there were a handful of tweaks that still needed to be done. Doors that didn't quite fit, drawers that didn't quite close or stay closed (apparently we do not have a level floor and ceiling lol) and the missing range hood. I did have to give up on white and install stainless, but I don't think it looks too bad. Anyhow, here's a photo - for someone who doesn't cook, I'm very pleased with the outcome! What are my favorite features?? I LOVE the drawers under the sink instead of cabinet doors. So easy to open the top drawer for the sponges and dish soap - the bottom drawer for whatever mess I store under there LOL. I love that everything pulls out, either drawers, or shelves, no bending over and crawling under to find what's been lost. I love that my coffee maker and small appliances are hidden behind closed doors. It's not easy but clean countertops is a joy. But my two truly favorite features are the three trash bins and three junk drawers LOL. I have a trash bin by the coffee bar, another by the kitchen sink, and a recycle bin in the island. Then, I've had a junk drawer for years. since I have so many drawers, there are two nice sized drawers under the junk drawer and you guessed it - they all have junk now. Organized, but junk! LOL.
Okay, that's it for now - at least I still made it on Monday!
take care,
I'm hoping this blog isn't one of them.
I'm making small - very small - progress on Siobhan's story. Our family had a bit of a shock last week when my husband's brother had a heart attack and passed very unexpectedly. This has rocked our family for several reasons. We've always looked at my husband's family as being genetically long lived. My mother in law passed at 91, her mother in her mid nineties, most of her siblings on either side of ninety with only a couple of exceptions (mother in law was one of ten). Now - a sense of mortality is knocking at the door.
The hard part is that the two brothers share a few similar traits, the most problematic, a dislike for regular checkups or doctor visits. The other challenge is convincing them of a need for changing bad habits for good one. I'll let you know if I succeed in talking him into at least walking every day with me - not holding my breath, but going to give it the college try.
the other challenge for families that live half a country away is wondering if more could have been done. If things should have been said. Always a hard thing second guessing ourselves.
As a result, what should take me only a short while is taking a very long while. As in this blog that's hours late.
On the upside, my cousin and his three sons came over Sunday to help clear weeds. I have quite a good size yard and more weeds than plants. Now the front of the house looks nice and tidy. Not magazine worthy, but pleasantly tidy. I'm very happy to not be the messiest house on the block anymore.
lastly, for folks who have followed my kitchen renovations, it has been mostly done for months, but around my travels there were a handful of tweaks that still needed to be done. Doors that didn't quite fit, drawers that didn't quite close or stay closed (apparently we do not have a level floor and ceiling lol) and the missing range hood. I did have to give up on white and install stainless, but I don't think it looks too bad. Anyhow, here's a photo - for someone who doesn't cook, I'm very pleased with the outcome! What are my favorite features?? I LOVE the drawers under the sink instead of cabinet doors. So easy to open the top drawer for the sponges and dish soap - the bottom drawer for whatever mess I store under there LOL. I love that everything pulls out, either drawers, or shelves, no bending over and crawling under to find what's been lost. I love that my coffee maker and small appliances are hidden behind closed doors. It's not easy but clean countertops is a joy. But my two truly favorite features are the three trash bins and three junk drawers LOL. I have a trash bin by the coffee bar, another by the kitchen sink, and a recycle bin in the island. Then, I've had a junk drawer for years. since I have so many drawers, there are two nice sized drawers under the junk drawer and you guessed it - they all have junk now. Organized, but junk! LOL.
Okay, that's it for now - at least I still made it on Monday! take care,
October 2, 2023
It's Nice to be Home
Guess who was nice and prompt and wrote this blog first thing this morning - and then - forgot to post it! Yep - yours truly. I swear with the amount of vitamins and fish oil I take, you'd think I could remember whether I'm coming or going a little more easily LOL.
And then - if that wasn't enough - for some reason I can't copy and paste from my word doc - so - guess who is even further delayed retyping! sigh. Oh well, onward.
I have spent an entire week in my own home and let me tell you, it's been nice. I have a crazy long to-do list and I'm delighted to have been knocking off at least one thing a day. Some times two! Who knew crossing things off lists could make a person so happy! It feels great. Just one little accomplishment every day!
My favorite is probably the new laptop – let me tell you I grumbled and moaned for over an hour, closer to two, trying to set the darn thing up. I specifically thought I’d picked a refurbished computer in order to keep my windows ten – well – it’s windows eleven. Have I mentioned how much I hate technology? Finally after a long night, the laptop is set up so for the most part I can find what I need. Hopefully no one will ever ask me to find something new or it will be hours of asking ‘where the heck is….’ But, now I can write and work without juggling portable screens, untangling connections, and waiting forever for my hotspot to work. This new laptop has a better internet connection (don’t ask me why, but thank heavens it does!)
As you know, last week was the release of Just One Take, book four in the new Baron series. This one has been lots of fun because it’s had a Barnes and Noble bestseller tag all week! Isn’t that pretty green banner on the upper left corner of the cover seriously cool??
Later this month, Just One Taste releases, and then in November, Just One Shot – Siobhan’s story. You remember her? The youngest Baron who was injured in book one? Well, for your Monday morning reading, here’s a snippet from the start of Siobhan’s book.
“Is it always this hot in Texas?” Siobhan’s friend and former college roommate, Bridget waved her hand in front of her face. As if that was actually going to help.
Her gaze fixed ahead, Siobhan didn’t bother to look up. “You’ve heard the expression, fry an egg on the sidewalk?”
Squinting at the sunlight, Bridget nodded.
“Texas invented it.”
“I think next time I visit, I’ll pick a cooler month.”
Her camera centered on a baby bird pecking at the dirt under a scraggly shrub, Siobhan snapped the shot before facing her friend. “Probably October. As long as rain doesn’t bother you.”
“I think I’d rather be soggy than melting.”
Siobhan chuckled. Her friend did have a point.
“Remind me again, why we’re traipsing out here in this horrid heat?”
“State Fair.” Texas has some of the most undervalued national parks in the country. If she wanted her photographic career to flourish at a level suitable to the Baron name, she needed some recognition. Winning a ribbon or two at the Texas State Fair would fit the bill. Animal and Nature photos dominated the history of award winning photography, and the Texas parks had both in abundance.
Bridget unscrewed the cap on her warm water bottle and guzzled what was left inside. “You’ve got twenty, thirty minutes tops to get your prize photograph and then we’re heading back to the hotel for a water refill.” Bridget’s mouth tipped up in the closest thing to a smile Siobhan had seen all day. “And a dip in the pool to cool off sounds pretty good too.”
Once again, her friend had a good point. The heat was a tad, oppressive, this time of year. “Deal.”
Now a true grin spread across Bridget’s face.
Ten minutes later, Siobhan lowered her gaze along the precipice to one side and spotted the perfect shot. “There.”
Bridget’s gaze danced left and right, up and around. “There were?”
Leaning against a boulder, her arm outstretched, Siobhan pointed at the lone pink bloom thriving amongst the rocky side. “Right there. That flower.”
When Bridget’s gazed reached the end of Siobhan’s finger and settled on the flower, a deep frown formed between her brows. “Doesn’t look like much of a shot to me.”
“Oh it will be.” In her mind, Siobhan could see it now. She just had to get. “Closer.”
“What?” Bridget inched forward, glanced at the drop only a few feet away, and eased back.
“There has to be another… hey, be careful.”
Standing at the very edge of the hillside, Siobhan tipped her head and her camera but there was no way she could get the angle she wanted. Blowing out a deep breath, she looked up. Even she didn’t have the nerve to climb along the rocky edge to get closer. Maybe if she had the right equipment, but not barehanded. And then she spotted it. A lone tree up above.
“I don’t like that look.” Her hand shading her eyes, Bridget lifted her gaze upward. “What ever you’re thinking, this is a bad…hey. Where are you going?”
Anxious to get her shot while the sunlight was behind her, Siobhan took off up the narrow path at a fast clip. “The tree.”
“Tree?” Bridget followed, her attention on the rocky path. “Are you sure you Barons aren’t part mountain goat. Slow down.”
“I don’t have much time.”
“You have your whole life ahead of you. That is unless we fall off this cliff. Slow down.”
“There.” The lone tree stood strong and tall, if a little lifeless.
“What do you want with a dead tree?” Bridget inched left, avoiding the edge of the rocky path. There was no missing the moment Bridget’s gaze shifted from the drop to her right, then back to Siobhan. A gasp could have been heard clear across the ravine. “Get off that tree.”
What do you think? Are you liking the Barons?
And then - if that wasn't enough - for some reason I can't copy and paste from my word doc - so - guess who is even further delayed retyping! sigh. Oh well, onward.
I have spent an entire week in my own home and let me tell you, it's been nice. I have a crazy long to-do list and I'm delighted to have been knocking off at least one thing a day. Some times two! Who knew crossing things off lists could make a person so happy! It feels great. Just one little accomplishment every day!
My favorite is probably the new laptop – let me tell you I grumbled and moaned for over an hour, closer to two, trying to set the darn thing up. I specifically thought I’d picked a refurbished computer in order to keep my windows ten – well – it’s windows eleven. Have I mentioned how much I hate technology? Finally after a long night, the laptop is set up so for the most part I can find what I need. Hopefully no one will ever ask me to find something new or it will be hours of asking ‘where the heck is….’ But, now I can write and work without juggling portable screens, untangling connections, and waiting forever for my hotspot to work. This new laptop has a better internet connection (don’t ask me why, but thank heavens it does!)
As you know, last week was the release of Just One Take, book four in the new Baron series. This one has been lots of fun because it’s had a Barnes and Noble bestseller tag all week! Isn’t that pretty green banner on the upper left corner of the cover seriously cool??
Later this month, Just One Taste releases, and then in November, Just One Shot – Siobhan’s story. You remember her? The youngest Baron who was injured in book one? Well, for your Monday morning reading, here’s a snippet from the start of Siobhan’s book.“Is it always this hot in Texas?” Siobhan’s friend and former college roommate, Bridget waved her hand in front of her face. As if that was actually going to help.
Her gaze fixed ahead, Siobhan didn’t bother to look up. “You’ve heard the expression, fry an egg on the sidewalk?”
Squinting at the sunlight, Bridget nodded.
“Texas invented it.”
“I think next time I visit, I’ll pick a cooler month.”
Her camera centered on a baby bird pecking at the dirt under a scraggly shrub, Siobhan snapped the shot before facing her friend. “Probably October. As long as rain doesn’t bother you.”
“I think I’d rather be soggy than melting.”
Siobhan chuckled. Her friend did have a point.
“Remind me again, why we’re traipsing out here in this horrid heat?”
“State Fair.” Texas has some of the most undervalued national parks in the country. If she wanted her photographic career to flourish at a level suitable to the Baron name, she needed some recognition. Winning a ribbon or two at the Texas State Fair would fit the bill. Animal and Nature photos dominated the history of award winning photography, and the Texas parks had both in abundance.
Bridget unscrewed the cap on her warm water bottle and guzzled what was left inside. “You’ve got twenty, thirty minutes tops to get your prize photograph and then we’re heading back to the hotel for a water refill.” Bridget’s mouth tipped up in the closest thing to a smile Siobhan had seen all day. “And a dip in the pool to cool off sounds pretty good too.”
Once again, her friend had a good point. The heat was a tad, oppressive, this time of year. “Deal.”
Now a true grin spread across Bridget’s face.
Ten minutes later, Siobhan lowered her gaze along the precipice to one side and spotted the perfect shot. “There.”
Bridget’s gaze danced left and right, up and around. “There were?”
Leaning against a boulder, her arm outstretched, Siobhan pointed at the lone pink bloom thriving amongst the rocky side. “Right there. That flower.”
When Bridget’s gazed reached the end of Siobhan’s finger and settled on the flower, a deep frown formed between her brows. “Doesn’t look like much of a shot to me.”
“Oh it will be.” In her mind, Siobhan could see it now. She just had to get. “Closer.”
“What?” Bridget inched forward, glanced at the drop only a few feet away, and eased back.
“There has to be another… hey, be careful.”
Standing at the very edge of the hillside, Siobhan tipped her head and her camera but there was no way she could get the angle she wanted. Blowing out a deep breath, she looked up. Even she didn’t have the nerve to climb along the rocky edge to get closer. Maybe if she had the right equipment, but not barehanded. And then she spotted it. A lone tree up above.
“I don’t like that look.” Her hand shading her eyes, Bridget lifted her gaze upward. “What ever you’re thinking, this is a bad…hey. Where are you going?”
Anxious to get her shot while the sunlight was behind her, Siobhan took off up the narrow path at a fast clip. “The tree.”
“Tree?” Bridget followed, her attention on the rocky path. “Are you sure you Barons aren’t part mountain goat. Slow down.”
“I don’t have much time.”
“You have your whole life ahead of you. That is unless we fall off this cliff. Slow down.”
“There.” The lone tree stood strong and tall, if a little lifeless.
“What do you want with a dead tree?” Bridget inched left, avoiding the edge of the rocky path. There was no missing the moment Bridget’s gaze shifted from the drop to her right, then back to Siobhan. A gasp could have been heard clear across the ravine. “Get off that tree.”
What do you think? Are you liking the Barons?
September 25, 2023
Sunset Capital of Florida
Just came back from several days at an author conference on St. Pete’s beach. Because it’s business and so hectic, I kept forgetting to take photos! LOL. But a few folks did manage to snap a picture here or there
The nice thing about visiting the Florida Gulf Coast is that unlike the beaches of Galveston Texas, there’s lots of white soft sand. A challenge to walk through but so pretty!
Thank heaven for other associates taking pictures! Here we have one over lunch with some author friends, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Deb Clopton, Jan Moran, and Kay Correll are all lovely women, and I’ve read each of these authors, all great storytellers! Of course the best part about conferences is meeting new people, it just takes me a while to remember names! LOL. But I have to thank Jan Moran for the solo photos – I’m thinking it’s worthy of replacing the old photos of brunette me – what do you think? Maybe I'll wait to Spring when I lose a few pounds LOL.
Of course – we have to include the last night dinner –a beach blanket (okay tables) bash worthy of a movie. The food – as you can see – was delicious. I didn’t get a desert photo but I’m sure y’all will forgive me. Of course, my former assistant and still good friend Maria can always be counted on to take at least one photo of the two of us!
And then there was the best sunset show. This part of the Florida Gulf Coast (west side) is known for its amazing sunsets.
To end it all – my last afternoon working with authors – lunch was ordered and I got the biggest kick out of my fortune cookie – I guess there are perks to being a little nutty!
Time to catch up on everything I’ve learned – oh – and I’m very proud of myself for writing every day despite all the business meetings! Just One Shot is on schedule! I’m off to work – have a great week!
The nice thing about visiting the Florida Gulf Coast is that unlike the beaches of Galveston Texas, there’s lots of white soft sand. A challenge to walk through but so pretty!
Thank heaven for other associates taking pictures! Here we have one over lunch with some author friends, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Deb Clopton, Jan Moran, and Kay Correll are all lovely women, and I’ve read each of these authors, all great storytellers! Of course the best part about conferences is meeting new people, it just takes me a while to remember names! LOL. But I have to thank Jan Moran for the solo photos – I’m thinking it’s worthy of replacing the old photos of brunette me – what do you think? Maybe I'll wait to Spring when I lose a few pounds LOL.
Of course – we have to include the last night dinner –a beach blanket (okay tables) bash worthy of a movie. The food – as you can see – was delicious. I didn’t get a desert photo but I’m sure y’all will forgive me. Of course, my former assistant and still good friend Maria can always be counted on to take at least one photo of the two of us! 
And then there was the best sunset show. This part of the Florida Gulf Coast (west side) is known for its amazing sunsets.
To end it all – my last afternoon working with authors – lunch was ordered and I got the biggest kick out of my fortune cookie – I guess there are perks to being a little nutty! Time to catch up on everything I’ve learned – oh – and I’m very proud of myself for writing every day despite all the business meetings! Just One Shot is on schedule! I’m off to work – have a great week! September 18, 2023
Fun in Brooklyn
I lived in NY for over twenty years before moving to Texas. At the ripe old age of sixteen, I worked one spring break in Brooklyn with my mother. All I saw of Brooklyn was the view from the Whitestone Bridge to the workplace. So this week I made my first real trip into Brooklyn!
We – my maid of honor and I – started at the Ripped Bodice bookstore. A bookstore that only sells romance novels. What a cool place. The original bookstore opened in the Los Angeles area. The Brooklyn location opened recently. The thing that impressed me most, the number of neighborhood people wandering in and shopping. We weren’t there long, but the place was hopping the whole time. They don’t sell my books, but I did give a few business cards to a few shoppers LOL.
Next we took a short detour to what I call the Blue Bloods house. One of my favorite television shows is Blue Bloods. I think it’s why the Farradays always have Sunday dinner LOL. Anyhow, I couldn’t resist hunting down the family home when I was so close. It was kind of cool ! 
From there we went a few blocks away to St. Ephram’s church. On 9/11 someone posted a photo of a statue with the twin towers. When I realized it was in Brooklyn, I wanted to go. From what we could decipher, the little garden area is a memorial for the parishioners who lost their lives that day. The part that always cuts me deeply is seeing that most of them were under 30 years old. I found the garden area very peaceful and a wonderful memorial.
Do you watch Blue Bloods? Have a favorite character? Episode?
This week I'm in Florida for a conference and working on book six of the Barons - hope everyone has preordered the next Baron - Just One Take releasing next week!
We – my maid of honor and I – started at the Ripped Bodice bookstore. A bookstore that only sells romance novels. What a cool place. The original bookstore opened in the Los Angeles area. The Brooklyn location opened recently. The thing that impressed me most, the number of neighborhood people wandering in and shopping. We weren’t there long, but the place was hopping the whole time. They don’t sell my books, but I did give a few business cards to a few shoppers LOL.
Next we took a short detour to what I call the Blue Bloods house. One of my favorite television shows is Blue Bloods. I think it’s why the Farradays always have Sunday dinner LOL. Anyhow, I couldn’t resist hunting down the family home when I was so close. It was kind of cool ! From there we went a few blocks away to St. Ephram’s church. On 9/11 someone posted a photo of a statue with the twin towers. When I realized it was in Brooklyn, I wanted to go. From what we could decipher, the little garden area is a memorial for the parishioners who lost their lives that day. The part that always cuts me deeply is seeing that most of them were under 30 years old. I found the garden area very peaceful and a wonderful memorial. 
Do you watch Blue Bloods? Have a favorite character? Episode? This week I'm in Florida for a conference and working on book six of the Barons - hope everyone has preordered the next Baron - Just One Take releasing next week!
