Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today

by Maureen Bonatch

Last year was the first time we spent Easter at home with just our girls. COVID cancelled our usual celebration with family, but it also changed my daughter's plans to return to school since it suddenly went online at the end of spring break. 

This year will be another different type of year as my daughters are back on campus, but precautions remain in place so it will be the first Easter that we don't get to see them. We will see them on Zoom, of course. Thank goodness for the wonders of technology.

Then some of my extended family members got COVID and an additional family get together for this weekend was rescheduled for a later date. 

We're on our way back to a new normal, but we're not there yet. 

Part of me wants to rush time along so everything gets back to at least semi-normal, or until the semester ends so I can see my girls. But then I think about just how fast time goes by. I only realized that April 4th had snuck up one day prior, and remembered that I had a post to write for all my peeps here!

My brain came up empty as I dwelled on this very different holiday weekend this year. I looked through some of my old flash fiction, thinking I might have something related to spring. I came across this one. It's something that I probably wrote when my girls were in elementary school themselves. It made me think once again how fast time goes by, and how important it is to cherish every stage of our lives and the memories we create. 

Another Summer

    “I can’t believe the school year is over.” Lisa folded her arms across her cobalt shirt and grimaced. “I’m dreading entertaining Anthony and Johnny all summer.” 

        Susan smiled, taking in the clear blue sky. “I’m kind of looking forward to spending time with Tessa.”      

     The roar of the bus announced its arrival. Above the Blue Bird Bus logo, tiny heads bobbed as they scurried to exit. 

    Whoops and cheers emanated from the tiny mob, celebrating three months of freedom. 

     Susan searched the faces. 

     “Tessa?” Susan’s smile faltered. Her daughter's Blue’s Clues lunchbox clanked against her jean clad leg as she burst toward her mother. 

     “What’s wrong?” Susan clutched Tessa after she collided into her legs. Her cries muffled against Susan’s indigo shorts. 

    Tessa’s baby blue eyes scrunched up, pushing fat tears down her cheeks as she wailed, “I miss Julie!” 

     “What? You just saw her.” Susan gestured to the pig-tailed girl sporting navy ribbons and an identical expression of agony peering out the bus window as it continued up the hill. 

    Tessa sniffled, throwing her head back and opening her mouth so wide that she was in danger of choking on her strawberry bubblegum and bellowed, “I won’t get to see Julie all summer!” 

     Susan met Lisa’s gaze as she was trying to corral her two terrors wrestling on the lawn, adding more black and blue marks to their collection. 

    “Still looking forward to it?” Lisa smirked with a raised brow. Susan was spared a reply when the boys rolled over the Cool Berry juice box from their lunch, spraying a sapphire colored liquid over them.      

     “Boys!” Lisa deftly separated their intertwined limbs and stilled them with a narrowed look. Heads hanging, they trudged behind their mother. 

     Susan knelt to Tessa, smoothing hair from her face and wiping a tissue over her swollen cheeks. “Sweetheart, think of all the fun you and I can have. Most kids are happy for summer break, just look at Anthony and Johnny.” 

    The scolding already forgotten, they rushed ahead and stripped off their stained shirts and dove into an inflated swimming pool. 

 Tessa’s chin rested upon her chest and her whimpering continued. “That’s because they have someone to play with.” “Well you and I can do plenty together and I’m sure Anthony and Johnny would love to play with you—” 

    “Mama!” Tessa’s face contorted into an expression of horror. “They’re boys! And you’re old!” 

     “Oh.” Susan frowned. Her baby was growing up. 

    “Well,” Susan hid her dismay by hugging her daughter tightly. “Julie only lives a mile away. You can still play, phone her or write letters.” 

    Tessa pulled away. “Can she have a sleepover sometime? I’m the only girl in my class who’s never had one.” Placing her hands on her hips Tessa declared. “I’m not a baby anymore.” 

    “Well,” Susan sighed. “Okay.” Tessa’s smile lit up her face. “Thank you, mama!” She threw her arms around her mother. Susan laughed. 

    “As long as you know you’ll always be my baby.”

Happy Easter - Happy Spring - from Scuff!

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter 

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A Twist Writing Through Adversity by Tena Stetler

 

Well, this wasn’t the topic I’d planned for today.  But it is what it is.  I’m a very determined person, I plot my road ahead and follow my path.  Roadblocks do occasionally land in my way, I bulldoze a way around them and continue on.

2021 couldn’t get worse than 2020 could it? I never voiced those words until now. But February11, 2021 the COVID-19 possible UK variant  roadblock crashed in my path and was impassable. I’ve never been to the UK and this was not what I had in mind, either let me tell you! Talking about being knocked flat unable to get up or figure a work around. Luckily I’d finished the rough draft of my manuscript due the end of the month, however butt in chair with head held up for editing. Wasn't going to happen no matter how hard I tried!

What this experience has taught me is sometimes you just have to let the world roll over you for a few days. Get up brush yourself off and start again. You’re not a machine, but human. Hubby is the same way same date and diagnosis. He’s the second set of eyes for my manuscript after it's done. That didn’t happen either. After a trip to the ER a few days ago, today is day eleven and my butt IS in the chair and I am writing this post. Appetite is starting to return but food is still not my friend. The upside, weight loss is ongoing.  Yippee!

The month long promo planned for February/March is slower than anticipated, but I’m making it work with the help of friends. I’d ask you help with getting the word out on my sale of CHARM ME AGAIN. A blurb about it is below. 

A little about CHARM ME AGAIN on sale for 99¢ for a limited time.

For several months a Scottish Highland Ghost has haunted Daylan, in his personal life, his professional life and at his forge. Yet, being a talented warlock, he is no closer to discovering what the ghost wants or why he chose Daylan. A trip to his estranged sister’s home in Colorado may have unforeseen consequences especially when family history leads him to a shocking discovery.

As his attraction blooms for Josie, a yoga instructor in his sister’s studio, he realizes there may be more to Josie than he can imagine. When an ancient rogue Fae Warrior set on revenge kidnaps her in an attempt to claim her as his own, a devastating curse comes to light.

Daylan’s world spirals out of control as he searches for Josie. Can he break the age old curse to save her and their future, or will she be lost to him forever?

 Amazon,  Barnes & Noble, and Itunes 

 Next month I promise a sunnier post with odes to Spring and chirping birds. LOL

 Until then stay safe and wash your hands, mask up, wipe down your keyboard and mouse, and use hand sanitizer.  We're not out of the woods yet.  

 

 

A Year in Blessings

 

Hey, peeps, we’re almost there! Counting down the hours until we can kick 2020 out the door—with our steel-toed boots. Not that 2021 will start out great, but there is so much hope that it’ll end on a far better note.

Yet, there were some great moments to be had this year. Here are some of the highlights for me:

I am happy that my octogenarian parents have remained untouched by COVID-19. I can’t wait to be able to hug them again. My hubby and kids have also stayed virus-free. (Me too, in case you’re wondering.)

No major pet emergencies. Granted, we only have one pet at the moment, but still.

Took lots of delightful, socially distanced walks with my dad…and the (healthy) dog.

Kid #5 and I conquered the WORST jigsaw puzzle ever. Took us a month, and by the time we finished
we were ready to burn the damn thing. But we did finish! For the record, ever since I haven't been able to even think about Gone with the Wind without cringing.

Had not one, but two high school grads who managed to keep their senses of humor even though they missed out on almost all their senior activities/traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

The daily ducky visits to the puddle in the empty playground across the street last Spring. Hope they come back next year.

Somehow, I did not suffer a full-blown case of author-COVID-depression syndrome. Slacker that I am though, I did end up having to cram to complete my three novellas for the Intergalactic Dating Agency. Let’s be honest here, that wouldn’t have happened without a deadline.

And speaking of novellas, I published four this year! Skylar’s Gift (Prophecy series), Above the Storm, Wing and a Prayer, and Trial by Fire (all part of my new Silverstar Mates series.) A banner year, book number-wise.

Exciting times when work started on my very own office! It has a door! (If you'd like to see the progress, please subscribe to my newsletter: Lea's Letters from Space.)

After one postponement, I had cataract surgery over the summer. For the first time ever, I now have 20/20 vision in my right eye! Kinda exciting to not have to wear a contact lens in that one anymore.

I think have recovered enough from my distain for puzzles to take on this one, a gift from blogger Mary Smith via author Marlene Bell.

 

 

Discovering a way around the Stay-At-Home-Christmas. Thank you, Zoom, for giving us a way to "be" with our kids who no longer live at home!

The 2020 memes…oh, my gosh! Thanks to all the creative meme makers out there. I’m pretty sure that I laughed at more of those this year than during any previous year.

 

 

So, what about you? In a year of overwhelming odds, what positive moments of 2020 stand out for you? Don’t be shy…let me know in the comments.

May 2021 bring you peace, joy, and good health.

~Lea

P.S. - I have declared that this new year's eve is Unofficial National Stay at Home and Read Night. In case you're looking for some great new releases to snuggle with, check out these recent new releases from the SFR Station.