Family Life Archives - Page 7 of 11

Happy Hot Toddies!

December 24, 2015 By JPMcLean 6 Comments

JP McLean with her dog, Molly, sitting on the hearth of a blazing fireplace — JP McLean and Miss Molly

Happy hot toddies. Another Christmas Eve has arrived. The tree is up, the wreath is hung, and the shopping is done. December 24th is my favourite day of the holidays. For me, it’s the calm before the storm; a quiet day to enjoy with a warm toddy, a soft dog and fluffy blanket in front of the fire.

And as the seasonal gatherings roll on, and we exchange holiday cheer with our friends and family, I’m reminded how very fortunate I am, and for that, I am grateful.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your encouragement, laughter and support over this past year.

From our home to yours, here’s wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy 2016, and many hot toddies.

If you’re looking for a book to enjoy during the calm before the storm, you can gift yourself Secret sky with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other purchasing options are available under the Bookstore tab.

Paying the Couch Surfing Piper

December 11, 2015 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

The sideways rain is here again. The wind paints the windows in a revolving display of fir needles, leaves and arbutus bark. Miss Molly and I both prefer the comfort of the couch in weather like this. And that means one of us will be paying the couch surfing piper.

The windy rain is just my latest excuse for sitting on my derrière. Writing is my regular excuse. When I’ve been inactive for too long, my back protests, which happened a few months ago. It prompted me to re-ignite my cardio routine at the gym. I try to keep it to twenty minutes a day so it doesn’t become a chore. It works like a charm and keeps my back ache at bay.

A New Workout Routine

Then, a couple of days ago, a friend suggested I join her for a different kind of workout. I figured a change in routine would be good. She likes Jillian Michaels’ twenty-minute workouts, which fits my “not a chore” criteria. There are four workout levels on this CD. We chose the first level—the one for beginners. I felt pretty good going in with my twenty-minute cardio down pat.

JP's dog, Molly, wearing red Christmas antlers — Miss Molly

Ha! Jillian stomped on my sad cardio prep (and I think she was smiling sadistically). I didn’t make it through the measly twenty minutes without rest stops, plural. I tripped over my own feet, lost my balance and couldn’t hold the plank position for more than a few seconds. Afterward, muscles I only pretended to use before that, let me know the truth. Foolish me, I went back for another run at it the next day and before I crawled into bed, my hamstrings, stomach and derriere each made their protests known.

On day three, I had to go shopping off island. Thank god. Laughing hurt, sitting down hurt, getting up was worse, even walking hurt. I had a number of stops to make, and getting in and out of the car hurt. The most memorable stop was Home Depot. I was looking for an oddball piece of hardware and saw something promising on a bottom shelf. Bending down to look was tenuous, squatting proved impossible. I ended up on all fours, and the promising item didn’t even pan out. I had to pull myself up on the shelving, which hurt because I was laughing.

Today is day four and I’m going back for more. I will get through that damn routine if it kills me. You hear that Jillian!

You know what’s not a workout and doesn’t hurt a bit? The Gift Legacy books. Start with Secret Sky. Get it with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other options are available under the Bookstore tab.

Got Crabs?

September 30, 2015 By JPMcLean 7 Comments

Ah, the first crisp days of fall. Refreshing brisk morning air. Brightly coloured leaves rustling underfoot. Glossy red crabapples adorning the lawn like jewels. I’ve got crabs.

I could use a bit of exercise, I think, having been sequestered too long behind a keyboard.

In thirty minutes, I fill a five-gallon bucket with ruby crabs, stooping and scooping and feeling invigorated for the exercise. They make a pretty layer in the composter.

The next day dawns and once again I gaze out at the newly fallen crabapple abundance. So beautiful, I think, and I’ll get another day’s much needed exercise.

An hour and two five-gallon pails later, I’m feeling pretty well exercised. I stretch my achy back, but man it feels good to get outdoors and get my quota of fresh air and exercise. Another fragrant layer gets added to the composter.

Day three dawns. I stare out the window and then up to the canopy of our beloved crabapple tree. That is one prolific tree, I think, gearing up for another day of crisp fall air and exercise.

It’s drizzling, but I trudge on. Ninety minutes later, I’ve filled four five-gallon pails and topped up a composter that could double for a six-person hot tub. I’m damp with sweat and my back’s threatening to pop a disc.

On day four, I wake to the sound of rain pummeling the steel roof. Or are those crabapples? I find myself holding out hope for enough rain to flood the lawn and float the tiny red orbs away.

But no such luck. I stare outside at a new thick mat of wet crabapples. Is birth control for crabapple trees a thing?

I don my raincoat and the gloves that still feel damp from yesterday, and trudge off to face the crabs. It looks like the tree has thrown up on the lawn. Why aren’t the birds eating these things? My back aches at the thought of all that stooping and wine o’clock is hours away.

Hands on hips, I stare down at the pail and the rake, the tools of my torture, and wonder if exercise is overrated.

Collecting crabapples from the lawn with a shop-vac — Crabapple Shop-vac

And slowly an idea forms.

With renewed enthusiasm, I jog to the garage, grab an extension cord and my solution to the crabapple plague: the wet/dry shop vac.

Much to my amusement, it works!

(I have some exciting news on the writing front as well … but I have to keep it under my hat until next week.)

If you’re looking for an excuse to stay indoors, get a copy of Secret Sky with one click right here. And if ebooks or Amazon aren’t your preference, other purchase options are available under the Bookstore Tab.

Playing Whack-A-Mole with a Trilogy

February 21, 2015 By JPMcLean 5 Comments

Every time I sit down to write this post, another trilogy mole pops up and I race off in search of my mallet. I’m playing Whack-a-Mole with a trilogy. Those “moles” are hidden in more cubby holes than I’d imagined, though I shouldn’t be surprised, after all, I put them there.

I’m referring to the “trilogy” descriptor I used liberally to describe The Gift books when they were, in fact, a trilogy. Now that the fourth book, The Gift: Penance (now titled Lethal Waters), is approaching the starting blocks, the terminology is decidedly inaccurate. Hence, I’ve started the process of switching out “trilogy” for “legacy.”

I thought about all the places I’d used “trilogy,” and made a list. There were the obvious spots, like this blog, the website and Goodreads. Then I looked at Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Mustn’t forget Wattpad and Library Thing. Oh, and LinkedIn.

Okay, I thought … I can do this.

Oops, forgot about my author page on Amazon, which sent me scurrying back to look at my author page on Goodreads. And wait, I’d made a note to change the wording in Facebook, but what about the header picture—that had to change. Do I even remember how to do that? Then I noticed the tagline in my email signature, which lead to the realization that my business cards are now outdated. Along with the posters I use at book signings. And the back-of-the-book blurbs.

Oh crap! Pretty much all of the promo material I’ve ever prepared has to be changed. This is going to take a lot longer than I thought.

I suppose the silver lining in all of this is that the Gift’s book information has spread as far and wide as it has. The not-so-silver lining is that I’ll be whacking moles for a long time yet.

With that in mind, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me if you come across any of my “trilogy” lingo on your cyber travels. I just know I’m going to miss something. (Anyone who misses a fourth book sneaking into a trilogy is going to miss something—and it’ll probably be big.)