It’s cold outside! In case you haven’t noticed, it’s cold and windy – at least in Oklahoma. I long to take the dog for a walk. I have neighbors who dress up like Nanuk of the North and walk every evening, rain or shine. And they walk fast! They have to, it is cold. They are hardy and determined. Personally, I go to a gym. I attend my Water Aerobics class twice a week and Yoga once (three times a week, not every day like the neighbors) and call it good.
But I long for warm weather, toes in the sand and sunshine on my face. It is January in Oklahoma and that means anything goes. As far as weather, that is true here on the Great Plains year-round.
Since I can’t experience a beach, I’m going to recommend a good beach read. Secrets of Sandhill Island is a beach read with suspense, romance, and hurricanes! Meg doesn’t have to worry about cold weather. Her little garden on the beach will stay warm unless it is blown away by the hurricane churning in the Gulf of Mexico.
Meg’s biggest problem is who is blackmailing her and what secrets do they know about her past? Here is an excerpt from the prologue.
All Evan wanted was to be with Meg. He would provide for her and the child, or children as the years went by. He was still unsure why she chose him – a fisherman – over anyone else in the world, but she did. Her family didn’t like him but, they were just going to have to get used to him.
He struggled pulling the nets in alone. The pulley did most of the work, but it still would have been nice to have some help. The hair on the back of his neck stood up and he sensed the presence behind him. He turned around. The man stood almost close enough to touch. The dark ski mask pulled over his face sent a shiver up Evan’s spine. Where did he come from? But most of all, why did he hide his face out here on the open ocean? And then he saw the giant meat hook in his hand.
“Who are you and how did you get on my boat?” Evan stepped toward the intruder despite the danger. He never expected what came next.
“This is from Graham.” The man plunged the hook deep into Evan’s chest. Blood spurted every direction as Evan’s eyes bulged and he gasped only once. The man in the ski mask quickly pushed him over the side into the dark, churning water.
Secrets of Sandhill Island is beach read with a twist. It is suspenseful, romantic and has a hint of mystery. What are the secrets held on Sandhill Island?
What are you reading this week? I hope you stay warm.
We talked last week about more experiences. I’ve been thinking of things I want to do and decided with my husband that once a month we’ll take a road trip around Oklahoma. I know that next month on my birthday we’re planning a trip to Waynoka to eat at Café Bahnhof restaurant 
This year on my weekly blog I’m planning to write about experiences, new and old. My plan is to incorporate what I’ve talked about for the last few years, doing more and possessing less.
I’ve come to some conclusions about life. No one gets out alive. I have a friend who hates it when I say that. But what I mean is death is inevitable. It is what you do in life that counts and it seems I’ve watched too many people run out of time this year.
Merry Christmas! It’s here whether you’re ready or not. Wednesday hungry mouths will descend on my dining room and I hope they all go away satisfied. I’m not going to a lot of trouble this time. I’ll cook a ham, potatoes, and dessert and then the family will bring dishes. There is no reason for one person to kill themselves trying to make the world jolly!
Yesterday I spent a few hours at Putnam Six Bookstore having a book signing. Chloe Fuxa has a lovely shop and it had a lot of foot traffic. It was Saturday and it was Christmas and people strolled in and out of Enid’s only bookstore. And since it was Christmas, I made cookies. As usual, I made too many and shared the leftovers with a couple of friends.
I was invited to have a book signing at Graceful Arts in Alva, Oklahoma 
I had to have it! I put it in the place of honor on the hearth, but it needs to be hung in my writing room near the books that accompany it. 
Thanksgiving was a success. I blew my diet, but I’m back on track. And I can’t believe it is the first of December! The Christmas season is here. There will be decorations to put up, cards to sent out, gifts to buy and then wrap – and more food again. What will you do for those you love? You want a gift, but you have no idea what they need.
Sitting down at the computer to come up with a Sunday blog I realize ONE MONTH FROM TODAY IS CHRISTMAS EVE! I can’t believe it. I’ve been immersed in the family gathering around my table on Thanksgiving and it hadn’t occurred to me how close the Christmas holiday came just behind it.
On Sunday mornings I write a blog. I sip my coffee and try to get my brain in gear and today, I seam to be a blank slate.
Peggy Chambers "Views from the Hammock" site 