Home, Sweet Home

<<Deep Breath>>

Can it finally be over?  Well, almost over.  I’m still hearing the sound of some kind of saw coming from my kitchen/dining room.  The hardwood floors are almost in.  And when that happens, I can finally unpack the boxes that have been sitting in my great room and spare bedrooms for over a month now. 

And when that happens, we’ll truly be moved into our new home in Myrtle Beach.  That’s when I’ll take a long, deep sigh of relief.

So far, we love it here.  I mean, what’s not to love?  We played tennis on a morning in December then took a walk on the beach (after devouring two Krispy Kreme donuts--another perk in this area--well, until I step on the scales, anyway.)  But until we get completely unpacked and get the pictures hanging on the walls, it won’t feel completely like home. 

That moment is close…I can feel it!  And then I can finally get back to my normal routine—working on student assignments and writing!  Do you know I haven’t written one line of fiction since I finished INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS in July?  And the old (not literally-speaking) brain is starting to storm about my next novel.  I wrote the prologue during one of the writing exercises in Ireland, and I’m starting to feel that familiar itch when I know it’s time to start working on my next novel. 

But I can’t do that until sometime next year.  We’re spending the holidays in Destin with the grandsons, and then once the New Year checks in, I’ll be heading to Kentucky to spend some time with my sister and dad.  Once I get back from Kentucky, then I can buckle down and start writing.  My brain should be done with the storming by that time and straining at the bit to write.  I’ve already got a title.  HOWLING AT THE MOON.  What do you think?

As for INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS, it’s with a publisher and if they make me an offer, I will consider it.  But whether or not I accept it remains to be seen.  I may just go ahead and self-publish, since we all know how much I like being in control.  I’ll let you know what happens.

As I said, I really love our new home in Myrtle Beach, but I have to tell you of an alarming incident I experienced last week—kind of put me off a bit.  I found a really fun karaoke place that actually has it at a decent time.  It starts at four pm on Fridays, and I can usually stop in and sing a couple of songs before I meet Frank for our Friday pizza movie night.  Last week, a friendly couple sat down to join me…at least, I thought they were friendly…until the male began to spout off about African Americans, and using the N-word three times.  I was so astonished and horrified that I just sat there, staring at him.  (I’m sure my mouth was agape.)  Finally, after the third time, I got up and walked out of the bar, mentally kicking myself for not having the nerve to look him in the eye and say, “What is it about me that makes you think I wouldn’t be offended by language like that?  You don’t know me.  Is it because I’m white that you feel like you can get away with your racist remarks?”

Of course, I didn’t say anything.  If it had been one of my characters, she would’ve spoken up. 

It’s disheartening to know that in this day and age—and during this holiday season, bigotry is still alive and well.  I will pray for enlightenment for people like this.

And to everyone else…

God Bless and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Happy Kwanzaa!!!

Carole