2018 Clearing my Life: Small Business Shopping

Posted on November 25, 2018 by peggylchambers

    This weekend was Small Business Saturday – just in time for Christmas shopping.  Buying local from small businesses helps the consumer find quality goods and services and provides a living for the small business entities.

Authors are small business entities.  We sell our goods to the public after our blood, sweat, and tears go into a story.  Oklahoma is full of local authors, I know because I’ve been involved in the Enid Public Library’s Author Fest and the OWFI conference in Oklahoma City for years and I am amazed at the amount of talent this state produces.

My books sit proudly displayed on the shelves in the local author area of A New Chapter Bookstore and Café in downtown Enid. Go by and see them and check out all the local authors on their shelves while you try their coffee.

My Sandhill Island books, published by The Wild Rose Press, were recently placed on Walmart’s internet shopping at https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=Secrets%20of%20Sandhill%20Island.  They are also listed on LSI Ingram making them available to all bookstores and libraries. The Wild Rose Press website https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/search?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=Peggy+Chambers&submit_search=  can also make shopping easier with the click of a button.

Amazon holds all my books and they are listed on this page to the right.  You can click on the picture and it will take you to the amazon page that sells them.

If you’re in Enid, I always have copies at the house and would be happy to sign one to you as a Christmas gift to yourself or an avid reader.

Books make great Christmas gifts.  Buy local and make your Christmas giving special.  Stuff a stocking, buy a book!

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2018 Clearing My Life: But Not my Dog

Posted on November 18, 2018 by peggylchambers

    My greatest wish is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am. 

I didn’t write that quote, and I don’t know where it came from, but it is an honest statement of what I wish my life would be.

I’ve written this year about clearing my life of unwanted things.  I don’t need things, but if everything was taken from me, I’d be lost without my family and dog.  No, my dog is family as many people think theirs is too. 

It is safe to say that I’ve always loved animals.  Growing up we had cats mostly and a miniature poodle named Princess.  My dad was not a big animal lover, but she got under his skin.  She’d move over close to him as we drove (she always went with us on vacation) probably trying to win him over.  Or maybe it was just body heat she was after.

When I married, my husband soon came home with a puppy. Six weeks into the marriage he arrived one day with a German Shepherd/Collie mix.  I’d never been around big dogs.  My mother was afraid of them, but it didn’t take long for us to become friends. We named him Strauss (after all he was German) and he lived with us for years.

When the kids were little, we got them a Golden Retriever puppy for Christmas one year.  He was so big he could carry the box I sent to bring him home in.  He didn’t want to be left in a box or a kennel, he was family and demanded to be where his family was at all times.  Our kids became his kids and he didn’t like arguments with them.  He always sided with them.  He protected them, but when he was hurt, he always came to Mommy.  Dad thought he might make him into a hunting dog, but that never happened.  He was family.

Our dog, Athena, came from Craig’s List.  It had been 14 years since we had a dog and my husband had run out of patience with me deciding whether or not to have another child.  The human kids had been gone for a while.  He took her from a soldier who was leaving for Afghanistan (at least that was the story, we wondered) and she acclimated to our house very quickly. Today when we travel, we have some great friends who babysit for her.  I hate to leave my daughter in a kennel at the vet’s.

Pets are a big part of many people’s lives.  They become family as they should.  I believe animals have a soul and feel as much as humans do.  If you have a pet, you understand that statement.  If you don’t, get one, they’ll make you more human that you ever thought possible.

What kind of pet/family member do you have living with you?

 

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2018 Clearing My Life: Weekend in Texas

Posted on November 13, 2018 by peggylchambers

    My blog is late this week because we spent the weekend with family in Texas.  We shopped, sampled a little wine, and visited.  When family turns to friends, you know you’ve got a good relationship.  My husband’s cousin and his wife looked us up after more than 30 years and it has been more fun than we could have ever imagined. We even got to visit with their son and grand dog. 

We started at their home in Glen Rose, TX (southwest of Ft. Worth) and we used it as a jumping off point to travel to points in northern Texas.  We spent one day in Grapevine, Christmas shopping and checking out some Texas wine. The second day we traveled to downtown Dallas and the Kennedy Museum at Dealey Plaza. It didn’t hurt that the cousins knew the roads in the Metro Plex and we traveled them in style.

It is amazing to reconnect with people from your past and when you have similar interests, it makes it even more fun. We plan to get together again in the spring.

The drive down was uneventful, but we saw the beginning of winter on the way back.  The first snow of the season visited early this year.  It was beautiful, and the roads were still good in the area we traveled. Thanks, Texas, for a great weekend.

What did you do this weekend?

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2018 Clearing my Life: The Aftermath

Posted on November 4, 2018 by peggylchambers

    The aftermath of Halloween is all around us. 

My husband and I walk the dog most mornings and the day after the Halloween onslaught we marveled at the things we found in our neighborhood.  I loved the two pumpkins who looked like they partied too hardy the night before – but had a wonderful time.

The first Trick-or-Treater came before dark dressed as the scary clown from Stephen King’s “It.” This was a large teenaged sized clown, but it didn’t have the red balloon the character should have had with them. I didn’t get a picture. The teenager would not have thought it cool.

The Spidey glove I found on the street the next morning proves somewhere there is an incomplete costume. (Or maybe Spiderman left it there to protect the neighborhood. I left it just in case.)  

Sugar induced craziness took over my neighborhood last Wednesday night.  My former neighbors came by and the entire family was dressed as The Incredibles (very fitting for them). My dog loved all the kids at her front door since she lives with old people.

Last year a little girl ran into my house and chased the dog down the hall towards my bedroom – sugar induced craziness.  But no harm was done.   

Every year I gripe about the price of candy.  I worry if I’ll have enough, and then it is over in a flash.  I so enjoy all the smiling faces full of candy and mischief.  Again, this year the joy overflowed on a cool, crisp evening when it was fun to pretend – and eat candy too.

Happy après Halloween for another year. 

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2018 Clearing Your Life: A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cook)

Posted on October 28, 2018 by peggylchambers

    Change is inevitable. It is a good thing for some, others struggle with it.

    To Live is to Change. To be perfect is to change often. – John Henry Newman.

I’ve often misquoted this saying and attributed it to Confucius. But the meaning is the same.  Change is a good thing because remaining stationary is to miss the things life has to show you.  You never know what is just around the next corner and you are bound to miss it, if you don’t make the journey.

It’s fall, the season of change.  God had a great idea with the four seasons.  Imagine how boring if it was eternally hot or cold.  Just when you are so sick and tired of the heat in the summer, the winter winds begin to blow. But first there is a small interval of the weather in between – fall.  Then when your toes and nose are frozen beyond warmth, summer arrives – but first the scents and blossoms of spring.  I still find it amazing, even at my age, when fall and spring give us respite. Being fried or frozen make us grateful for the seasons of postponement.

I look forward to change.  I’m easily bored and always looking for adventure.  Others hold close the day-to-day work I find intolerable sometimes. I am always on the lookout for the next thing and I find it hard to understand not wanting to find out what comes afterwards.  I always say I blame it on my father who was an adventurer.  He had to know why, when and where and he would find out by experiencing it himself.  That is not a bad thing.  He experienced a lot in his time and passed that love on to more than one generation.

I am in love with fall and the relief it gives us. I walked the dog this morning and kicked the fallen leaves while smelling the hint of winter in the air.  I made plans for simmering soup and writing by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate.  The simple things can also be an adventure.

Enjoy the change. What are your plans for fall and winter?

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2018 Clearing My Life: Blooming Justice

Posted on October 21, 2018 by peggylchambers

    The first in the Keystone Lake Series, Blooming Justice is soon to be released.  Erin Sampson is a high school senior ready to start college – on a shoe-string.  Hard working and determined, she knows she wants to have more of a career than her mother. She wants to be a lawyer like her aunt.  And she thinks her hard work and determination are all she needs in life.

And then she meets Todd. His life hasn’t been wonderful, though to the outside world he has everything a young man could want. His scarred childhood has created a monster, one that cannot be tolerated.

Erin soon realizes bullies come in all shapes and sizes. They are everywhere, and you can’t let them ruin your life.  Sexually harassed at the senior prom, she plans to forget it and move on.  She wasn’t hurt, only humiliated – but it was just the beginning. In college – and at her aunt’s law firm where she works part time – she will have to find the strength to stand up for herself and others.

Here’s an excerpt from the prom:

And just like that his hand was on her butt.

Really? On a first date? Did he really think he’d get that lucky? The laughter from the other table increased – and then it hit her. The date was a show for his friends. She reached down and moved his hand back up. He backed up looking her up and down, then pulled her tighter, grinning, and sliding his hand down again. This time he grabbed a handful of ass as he dipped her backwards toward the table. The French twist felt heavy behind her, then the spaghetti strap on the gown popped. She felt her face flush, and he stood her back on her feet.

“Oops,” Todd said leering.

“What are you doing?” She yanked up the borrowed dress her face burning with embarrassment.

“Just dancin’.”

And the music changed to a fast tune.

She stood in shock facing her date holding the dress up on one side, her face on fire listening to the laughter. She suddenly knew the plan. Get the geek girl to fall for you so you can make fun of her, or worse.

“Need a pin, honey?” Sally Elkman asked with a smirk as she shoved past holding on to the hand of a boy Erin knew only as Train Wreck. Thrusting Erin out of the way, they pushed past leaving her to face her date. Todd grinned as he grabbed her again and twirled her around, then pulled her toward him.

Blooming Justice is a coming of age story about strength and endurance, friendship and love.  I look forward to introducing you to the first in the Keystone Lake Series, Blooming Justice in 2019.

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2018 Clearing my Life: Preparing for Fall!

Posted on October 14, 2018 by peggylchambers

    Cold weather is coming!  Today is the day – the day that the cold air is coming in along with more moisture.  Fall is here, and winter is on the way.  With that in mind, I brought in a couple of plants, just in case the meteorologists are correct about a possible freeze.  My geranium decided to try one last time to bloom before the cold air arrives.  I’ll bring it in and see if I can keep it alive this winter.      I don’t make any guarantees.

My family and I attended the Greek Festival in Edmond yesterday (Oompah!) and dined on Gyro sandwiches, some wonderful Greek beer and wine and of course Baklava for dessert.  I bought a lovely scarf of silk and pashmina wool.  And as usual, just for the sake of our health, we brought home an assortment of Greek desserts. I know it is fall when the Greek Fest comes around and I even got to wear my new fall poncho.

I’ve gone to work for the local YMCA substitute teaching some classes that I sometimes attend (not the heavy-duty, extremely athletic ones, but the old lady ones). It keeps me active and helps others when the regular teacher needs some time off.  It won’t interfere with my writing and who knows I might loose some weight. (unless I continue to eat Greek desserts).

Fall is a time when Mother Nature prepares for a long winter’s rest. It seems to energize me and make me want to try new things.  It is soup weather instead of salad weather and maybe with my increased time at the Y, I won’t put on the inevitable winter pounds this year.

What does fall do for you?  Do you rest, or does it energize you?

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2018 Clearing my Life: SWOSU-Sayre Literary Festival

Posted on October 7, 2018 by peggylchambers

  I was asked to speak at SWOSU-Sayre’s annual Literary Festival https://newsok.com/article/5609767/swosu-sayre-fall-literary-festival-to-be-held-on-oct.-5 this last week.  I found myself immersed with a great group of people who love literature as much as I do.  Terry Ford and her staff put together a great day with vendors, speakers and even a pumpkin decorating contest.  I even received a student anthology of writing put together by the school and handed out at the festival.  

Other speakers were Bob Avey of Broken Arrow, who writes Detective Kenny Elliott series of crime fiction, and Landry Brewer, recipient of the 2018 SWOSU Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award. He has a new book about Maurice Halperin, a University of Oklahoma professor who was accused of being a communist and spy.

There was even a free lunch and lots of participation by high school and college students from Sayre and surrounding communities.  It was a great time as we shared our love of literature.

I look forward to more of their festivals and thank you SWOSU-Sayre for inviting me!  

(Oh, and I helped a friend with her garage sale and clearing her life this week.  I try to keep you updated.)

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2018 Clearing my Life: Clearing Another Novel?

Posted on September 30, 2018 by peggylchambers

    I’ve been working for some time on a pulp fiction novel based on three short stories I’d written in the past.  If you’ve read my work, you know I don’t follow on particular genre.  I probably should pick a genre and stick with it, but I love suspense and I love fantasy, so I write both (with a few children’s books sprinkled in for good measure).

The latest novel has really been difficult for me because I have too much going on.  I know I need one central theme and one goal for the main character.  She has one.  I used characters from the three short stories as backstory and the novel has evolved giving in depth personalities for my characters. I have a story arc. I have a climax and an ending.  What I don’t have is long enough word count. 

Even a short novel needs to be at least 50,000 words and mine sits about 45,000.  Should I give my characters more background?  Should I add another character who could be sprinkled into the existing story (I have another short story that might fit).  I’m at a loss.  I’ve worked on it so long, I can hardly make myself read it anymore, except for the newer parts.  This book has just not worked out like I imagined.  I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.  J. R. R. Tolkien I’m not and now that I’ve tried to put all these stories together into a cohesive narrative I am even more in awe of people who lace together epic tales with countless characters and subplots. 

Should I throw up my hands and go on to another book?  Should I put it aside for a while and write something else?  Should I clear my life of this novel and forget the whole thing? When do you know you’ve gone too far and need a break?

What do you think?

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2018 Clearing My Life: Rollin’ on the River

Posted on September 23, 2018 by peggylchambers

    For the last 6 days my husband and I have been the guests of Village Tours on their Autumn River Cruise https://villagetours.net/tours/. Another adventure cleared from my list. We started in Oklahoma City and drove north by way of Hannibal, MO to the Mark Twain boyhood home and museum on the Mississippi River.  I could imagine Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer’s escapades when I climbed the berm to the river.  It was less than two blocks to the river from his bedroom window. I even found the Becky Thatcher house. Being a reader and writer, I roamed the gift store afterwards looking over a multitude of volumes of America’s greatest storyteller.

We continued north to the Presidential Museum and Library of Abraham Lincoln.  We didn’t actually get to see the library, but the museum could have kept me captive all day.  The wax statues themselves were worth the visit.  I have never seen such detail.

At our northern-most destination of Peoria, Illinois we boarded the Spirit of Peoria paddleboat for the next three days https://spiritofpeoria.com/.  The three-story boat is powered by its paddle which is not just for decoration. The boat was comfortable and spacious, but the food was to die for!  The chef would come by daily telling you to be sure to save room for her grandmother’s sweet potato casserole and the deck hand smoked the brisket on board for 7 hours prior to dinner.    There was entertainment daily with musicians and storytellers and you could always sit on a deck chair and watch the river go by.  I was fascinated by the bald eagles, herons and the monarch butterfly migration we saw as we idly watched the world from the point of view of a major river.  If you could secure a rocking chair in the shade, you could spend your retirement there.    We spent three days on the Illinois and then the Mississippi Rivers going through locks along the way and seeing cities from an entirely different view than you would by car. Each night the bus would pick us up and take us to another lodge for the evening and we were stuffed with food along the way.

   Finally, in St Louis we visited the Arch – the Gateway to the West – and we took the elevator to the top to take pictures, then headed home to Oklahoma the next morning.  Our bus driver and tour guide, David and Pam Harms, were fabulous professionals with an eye to detail.  We may have been over fed, but not neglected. 

If you need a vacation and don’t want to drive, I highly recommend Village Tours.  They have all levels of tours for every person and every pocket book.  Check them out!

I’m ready for my next adventure. 

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