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| Clockwise from upper left: (1) Coloring = procrastination + creativity; (2) Exactly how big is an 8.5 x 5.5 paperback book?; (3) Dave from s/v Toucan showing off his grilling skills; (4) Dave and Linda from m/v Lady Gus patiently waiting for the towboat at the St. Lucie Lock; (5) the Boat US towboat to the rescue; and (6) our new-to-us bikes. |
To be honest, there isn't too much interesting to report about last month. I was pretty much focused on getting >>Murder at the Marina<< ready for publication. While I knew there would be a lot involved and that it would take a lot of time, I seriously underestimated how time-consuming the process would be. But, on the plus side, it's been really interesting to learn about things like international pricing, formatting, uploading to various e-retail sites etc. I'm kind of a nerd that way. And, because Scott is still toiling away in Scotland, things are quiet around here and it's a good opportunity to get everything squared away.
Anyhoo, here's the usual random recap of last month in numbers:
- 7 - How many hours it took to help some friends move their boat from Manatee Pocket to Indiantown Marina. We had a little bit of drama when their boat wouldn't start in the St. Lucie Lock. They had to shut down the lock while we waited for the towboat. There were some less than pleased boats waiting on either side of the lock impatiently asking for updates on the VHF.
- 2 - How many folding bikes we were gifted. So totally unexpected and so welcome. Some folks are selling their boat and were giving away their bikes, so of course I said, "Yes, please!"
- Not Enough - How many words I wrote during April. Some were for this blog and my author blog, others were for the first draft of >>Bodies in the Boatyard<<. Not as many as I had hoped, but I guess to be expected as I was knee-deep in all of my publishing-related tasks.
- 26 - How many posts I wrote for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. It was a fun way to learn a little bit of Spanish. But I got seriously behind with replying to comments and visiting other blogs. Sorry about that, fellow challenge people.
- $2.99 - How much the ebook version of >>Murder at the Marina<< will cost you in US dollars. Pre-order links below. {Sorry about the shameless plug for my book. I finding it really weird to do this self-promotion stuff.}
- 3 - How many pictures I colored. It's been a while since I've pulled out my adult coloring books. I had forgotten how relaxing it is.
- 347 - How many boats came back to Indiantown to haul-out for hurricane season. Seriously, I have no idea how many boats arrived last month, but it was a lot. Hurricane season starts on June 1st and the snow is finally starting to melt up north so the snowbirds are heading back home. It's been fun to catch up with friends and hear about their adventures, but also a little sad as we didn't get out this season.
- 9 - How many food and beverage items I was gifted by people heading back home. I wonder if a lot of the Canadians have hangovers the day they leave Indiantown because they're trying to finish off their booze before they head to the border.
- 7 - How many books I read. Faves include A. Ware's >>Les Stone Cold Killers<< (more on that later this month) and Stephen King's memoir >>On Writing<<.
In case you missed them, here are some of our favorite posts from last month:
P is for "Pinguino" (Penguin)
G is for "Gato" (Cat)
J is for "Jefe" (Boss)
How did last month go for you? What are you looking forward to this month?
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You did a great job with the challenge, i enjoyed reading your posts. Having your boat break down sounds as awful as having your car break down, i hope all is well for your friends.
ReplyDeleteIt's never a lot of fun having something break down. My friends have stored their boat for hurricane season and will look into the engine problem in the fall. Hopefully, it will be an easy (and inexpensive) fix.
DeleteCan't pass up gifts of food and bikes!
ReplyDeleteAnd why would you? :-)
DeleteSuch a busy month you had!
ReplyDeleteNow I want to color again and re-read King's ON WRITING. :)
King's book was quite good. It's probably one of those books that's well worth reading more than once.
DeleteWow, 347 boats hauled in April! That's incredible.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that may be a slight exaggeration. They're hauling around 8 boats a day, 5 days a week, so that would be around. . .a lot.
DeleteLast month was more winter than spring. It's finally warming up. Not the usual for this time of year, but we'll take it. The isinglass is still on the boat. Screens are still in the garage. That's how cool it is.
ReplyDeleteYikes on the boat that wouldn't start. Things happen and you just have to go with the flow.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
Isinglas vs screens is a good measure of the weather. Hope you can put the screens up soon.
DeleteYou had a really busy month with the book and the challenge, never mind all the other stuff! You have my permission to take a rest 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anabel. I think I'll take a nap today :-)
DeleteSounds like you've been busy! That's cool about the food and the bikes! As my husband would say when offered free food, "if it's free, it's for me!" :)
ReplyDeleteYour hubby sounds like a smart man :-)
DeleteFolding bikes! They are dreams. When my husband flew some small planes, we carried them and could land, then ride around without having to worry about finding a car right away. Here's to your launch! You have been busy with the A to Z and a launch.
ReplyDeleteMakes it so much easier to store if they're folding. Looking forward to trying them out.
DeleteWoot woot! Grats on the preorder. Cute bikes. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loni :-)
DeleteCongratulations on completing the challenge!
ReplyDeleteDena
And to you as well :-)
DeleteWith all the stuff you had going on with Murder at the Marina and the A-Z challenge, I’m surprised you had time to read books! Evening entertainment? Wat did you think about Stephen King’s memoir?
ReplyDeleteI think you had a very productive month of April. I focused on my writing as well, that month, and, we managed a long weekend away, which was awesome.
I can always find time to read books :-)
DeleteKing's memoir was quite different than what I thought it would be. I thought it was going to be all writing advice and didn't realize it was actually a memoir. But, I think that's what made it so interesting - hearing about his life while getting writing tips. Well worth a read.
Well done to you on focusing on writing last month and getting a long weekend away :-)
LOL. When we leave from the beach, we always have too much ice cream left in the fridge and try to eat it all. You hate to waste it! I'd be a drunken Canadian, for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou were super busy this month. I feel like a slacker reading it all.
That would be a horrible problem to have - having to eat lots of ice cream :-) The kind of problem I'd like.
DeleteAnd I'm always happy to take castoffs :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope Scott returns to you safe and sound. Best wishes on the book release! I'm too selfish to share my stories still, afraid the mean old world will be cruel to my 'love child'. ~grin~ Promote away, my dear! In fact, let me know if you'd like to be a guest on my humble blog. (darla m sands @ gm@il) Hope that encryption isn't too crazy to read if you wish to reach me. Heh... Be well!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your support - I'll touch base :-)
DeleteNot much interesting to report? Huh? Girl, getting your book ready for publication is downright monumental! Bask in it a little, okay? But keep on writing...
ReplyDeleteIt is tricky to focus on publishing and keep on writing, but I'm trying.
DeleteIsn't On Writing fabulous? I consider it my "bible," and now that I'm teaching creative writing, I get to share its wisdom with a whole new audience.
ReplyDeleteThat would be such a great book for a creative writing class. It's definitely one that I would read again.
DeleteFood and bikes! Very nice. It's so exciting your book will be out soon. I just finished reading the ARC last night. Bravo! I need more now, please! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading the ARC, Christine :-)
Delete