Old Florida

"Exploring “Old Florida”

Most folks around the country hear the word ”Florida’’ and immediately think of warm weather, orange juice,  and sandy, sun-kissed beaches. I get it. But if you read my post about Rainbow River a couple of weeks ago, you begin to see the beauty of Florida’s interior.

After church Sunday, Mike suggested we take a ride to Chiefland for a sandwich at a great barbeque place he knows and maybe poke around the area a bit. Mike has been all over that part of the state and knew I would like to explore it a bit. 

A Sunday drive in the Corvette around Florida? I was in! I like those impromptu dates with my husband. 

Mike was right about the barbeque place. It was delicious. I trust Mike, but when you walk in a restaurant and it looks like everyone from the county is there, you know it’s going to be good food. And it was. Barbeque pork sandwiches and sweet tea. It doesn’t get any more Southern than that. We were off to a good start.

A few miles north of the restaurant we pulled off at a park located on the Suwannee River. I’ve only seen the river from the interstate before. Up close, the strong current hardly matches the lazy rhythm of the song. But it is beautiful! Captivating, even. A teenager was trying his hand fishing in the strong current, but meeting with no success. “Maybe if he took his shoes off,” I thought. I mean if you’re going to fish the Suwanee river…

The history of the bridge and a portion of the old structure is displayed in the park as well. It is all part of “Old Florida.”

We next drove miles on a desolate highway lined with woods and palmettos to Cedar Key. Cedar Key is an old coastal town. I have long heard of the place but had never been there. I know they have an outdoor art show there every year and many boats. I understand the restaurants in the area are excellent. All these things attract tourists, Florida’s number one industry.

We poked around a bit in art stores and examined the old structures lining the streets. We walked down along the waterfront. It is an interesting and beautiful piece of “Old Florida’s” history. But it was extremely hot and humid that day, so we made our way back to the car and headed home, vowing to return when the temperature cools a bit in the fall.

The day was wonderful. We set out to enjoy a bit of “Old Florida.” But that evening, as I stood on our back deck looking out over the lawn with the lake beyond, I realized “Old Florida” is in our own back yard. And it is beautiful.

Yes, I Am a Novel Creation

 I’m sitting at my computer struggling with this week’s topic for the blog. I named the blog: “A Novel Creation” for two reasons. The first was my idea and is rather weak. The second idea was, in a way, revealed to me by God. Much later. 

I’ll start with the first. 

When I decided to turn my attention to becoming a published author, I attended a conference at Wheaton College in Illinois. I was there to learn what I needed to do to publish. Actually, I already knew the first step was to write something. Before the conference I began crafting my first novel.

At that conference in 2012, I heard over and over again I needed to write a blog. I didn’t even know what a blog was, much less anything about writing one. I started to research “blog” and bumped into work by Jeff Goins challenging writers to write. 

I was one of the early members of a Facebook group emerging from that work called “My 500 Words.” Through his work I learned about blogging. The goal was to write at least 500 words every day.

I needed a name for my blog. I was writing my first novel, so I called the blog, A Novel Creation. Clever, huh? Not really, but my goal at that time was to share everything I was learning about crafting a book with others interested in doing the same thing. 

It’s a small pool. Actually, I run into many people who talk about writing a book, but getting down to it is another thing.

Anyway, that was the beginning of A Novel Creation. I posted my first blog entry the day after Christmas, December 26, 2012. I trudged along with the weekly posts. Most of them were aimed at taking people along on my writing journey.

My first novel released at the end of March 2014. The end of October, that same year, my husband of forty-three years died  after a bicycle accident. 

I actually had most of the November and December posts already waiting in the wings, but there is a definite difference in the posts when, as a widow, I began writing for the blog again. I came to recognize the blog was no longer about crafting a book. It was about me.

I am a novel creation. I am a woman created by God and fitted for a unique path in life.

I kept the blog going, though I have often referred to losing Tom as “the moment the ink ran out of my pen.” I worked at living. I traveled to India, moved to a new house, moved to a different country, and crafted a blog that followed the life I was now muddling through. 

In April of 2023, I married a man I’ve known since junior high. We graduated from high school together. Mike Tyler is a good man. He makes me smile. I feel his love every day. And…Mike encourages me in my writing. Now? I checked. I just hit my 500 words!

Secret of Rainbow River

 “A Chill in the Water!”

Or

Lessons Drawn From the Rainbow River”

 

My first trip to Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida was as a teen. The spring-fed water is icy cold even on the hottest day of the year. I understand the water travels underground from the Appalachian Mountains. The river is only seven miles long and as clear as a pane of glass. 

 You  cannot “ease” your way into the water. “Easing in” is akin to cutting off your toe a sliver at a time. Simply Excruciating. No. You must make the commitment and jump in.

 The ice-cold water surrounds you. It nearly takes your breath away, but you quickly adapt. 

 The current is strong, so most people bring or rent innertubes to float down the river, the fish swimming happily beneath them. Fish in that river are hard to catch because they can see absolutely everything …hook, line, and sinker.

This past week I had the opportunity to visit the river. Mike and I took a drive up there and stopped in at our favorite restaurant, The Front Porch. The food and service are wonderful, but whenever I mention The Front Porch to folks in Citrus County (and beyond) the first words out of their mouths are usually, “Oh…the pies!” 

Yep, their pies are great. Award winning, even. And if you watch Tampa news stations, you’ll often see the restaurant featured because of…their pies. And just for perspective, Tampa is two counties and a few hours away.

I digress. I could write an entire blog post on the restaurant, but this post is about what I’ve learned from the Rainbow River. 

 

The Rainbow River is a Good Guide Along the Path of Life. 

1)        Take the plunge. Go for it. Be it a new job opportunity, a new relationship, or a trip you’ve always dreamed of taking but put on the back burner…go for it. Be all in. Change can be challenging, but I’ve learned through the years that God wired us to adapt to new circumstances and surroundings. Those new experiences help us grow confidence and positive self-esteem. 

 

2)        That said…don’t forget the innertube. Your safety net. Those are the people close to you. Your family, dear friends, and trustworthy coworkers. They are there to support you as you make a change in your life and pull you out of the current if you need a little help. A little help.

 

3)        Enjoy the ride. We can get so busy treading water in life…trying to keep our heads above the surface, we miss the beauty of our surroundings. Our routines take over. We look up one day and, with a sigh, say “I wish I had…”  or “I wonder what my life would look liked if…” You  get the idea.

 

4)        Finally, if you find yourself in Florida and a sign pops up directing you to Dunnellon, get off the tourist trap interstate and meander through the countryside of Marion County. Visit Rainbow Springs at the head of the river. And…if you feel a bit adventurous, don your swimsuits and take a guide boat up the river.  Jump in the cold water. After your float, head south on US Highway 41. Stop in at The Front Porch and indulge in a piece of pie. As they say: Put a little South in your Mouth.

(P.S. Tell them Becky Sent You)

 

 

 

 

Olym-pups

 Summer Olym-pups

While millions watched the summer games

played out in Paris on television, Mike and I

enjoyed our own summer Olympic champions

as they performed here.

 

Roxy came out on top in three major events.

She won the gold in “squirrel chasing without

harming a single squirrel.” She also placed

first in the “barking and bouncing at the same

time” event. And although the competition

was tough, Roxy landed on top with the “most 

drool in a single dinner session.”

Roxy

It should be noted that Roxy was disqualified in one of the eating events for eating her opponent’s food before eating her own.

Honeybee was not to be outdone, going for the

gold in protecting Mike from Becky and winning

by a landslide. Although she failed to keep

Becky from entering Mike’s office, (Becky was

able to pass her by without even a nip) she 

tried… whereas Roxy allowed full entry to

Mike’s office without a whimper. Honeybee also

reached the top podium in meatloaf devouring,

though that was a close match. Roxy won the

silver in that one.

Honeybee

Most notably, in the spirit of fair play,

Honeybee was able to coach Roxy in daily

napping. The two tied for the gold in that

event.

Graded on form and presentation, Honeybee

wins the top honors for regal beauty while 

Roxy claims highest marks on pure cuteness. 

And the cat? Tiki turned her nose up at the

foolishness of the dog’s daily antics. She

merely strolled off, stretched, yawned and

curled up assuring all spectators she

regarded the dogs as non-contestants in her

view of the animal world.

 

Tiki

Debby

 Debby

I’ve known a few “Debby’s" in my life. It was a popular name for my generation. Probably because of an actress named Debby …or was it Debbie…Reynolds. However you spell it, there were always multiple Debby’s in my classes from first grade through high school.

This blog isn’t actually about those friends. It is about the hurricane by the same name. 

My High School Friend
Debby Westlake
Shared This "Hurricane Selfie"
for This Week's Post.
Thank You, Debby!

Growing up in Florida I often heard old timers say, “What we need right now is a good hurricane.” I didn’t get it. I guess “a good hurricane” fills the lakes, waters the plants, and cools the air.

It does seem the hurricanes today hit harder and wreak more havoc. Of course, in the last fifty years there have been many changes to the Florida landscape. Now I see fewer orange groves and open fields. It seems our newest state products are condominiums, HOA planned communities, and theme parks. 

Maybe we just see more devastation because there is more in the storm’s path. 

When Hurricane Debby headed up the west coast of Florida this weekend, Mike and I watched the weather reports tracking the storm system as it left the Caribbean and gained strength in Gulf waters. We watched the news channel as residents along the coast, lined up in their cars to collect bags filled with sand.  

We weren’t particularly worried…just interested. 

We do have friends who live on the Gulf and have lived there for many years. They’ve never been hit by a hurricane. We haven’t either, but we are all still watchful. That is the prudent way to live. Being watchful.

Mike and I live inland, but on a lake. Weather reports indicated we would have plenty of rain. Fortunately, the Fish and Game Commission keeps an eye on the water table of our lake and do what they can to make sure we avoid flooding in our area. Strategically placed “flood locks” were opened in some areas and closed in others.

The rains were to hit on Sunday. Mike and I went to church under clear skies, but of course, the rain started as we left church and headed to a car dealership to pick up our truck. By the time we arrived back at our house, the rain was steady. 

Our house has a metal roof, so the sound was actually restful.

 The rain came down all afternoon. Our dogs weren’t too happy, but they were good girls. They braved the wet grass when there was a break in the weather so they could do their business.  

As night fell, the rhythm of the rain lulled us into a deep and satisfying sleep. 

We woke to learn Hurricane Debby had made landfall nearly100 miles north of us in Steinhatchee, Florida and was heading east across the state. As I write this, I know Hurricane Debby isn’t finished yet. And yes, there will be more storms coming.We are early in the hurricane season. 

Hurricanes are part of nature. 

My heart aches for those who lost loved ones in the storm and for those whose homes and businesses have been destroyed. 

Debby is a good reminder to always be prepared, be watchful, and  be thankful. 

But isn’t that the message of how we should live…in season and out of season? Be Prepared? Be Watchful? Be Thankful?

The Value of Vicks

 The Value of Vicks

Growing up, I can remember my mom treating a chest cold with a poultice of Vicks VapoRub salve. A head cold called for Vicks on the nose. If the congestion was severe, you might find yourself under a towel tent leaning over a steamy Vicks salve, deeply inhaling the treatment. 

Colds. Congestion. That was my experience with the clear, soft, aromatic salve. I knew it was made of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus. And I knew it came in a little blue jar. That was the limit of my understanding. 

Then I married Mike.  Mike is a champion for Vicks Salve. 

Meet "Dr. Mike"

Dr. Mike prescribes the stuff for…well, everything. No matter what I have going on, Mike asks, “Did you try putting a little Vicks on it?” It is his “go to” for healing. (My go-to has always been chocolate pudding. Just saying.)

You strain a muscle? Mike says, “Rub a little Vicks on it, baby.” 

Your throat hurts? Mike says, “Rub some Vicks on it.”

You have a headache? Mike says, "Rub some Vicks on the bottom of your feet."

Really? But that's what they say.

You get a small cut while you’re peeling vegetables or an insect bites you while you’re outside weeding the flowerbed? “Vicks Salve” is Mike’s answer.

While in Ohio, Mike had some congestion. I pulled the little blue jar out of the cabinet for him.

A connoisseur of Vicks, Mike quickly pointed out what I handed him was the store brand copy of the miracle cure. He all but turned up his nose at the stuff suggesting I had purchased it deliberately to save a few pennies. In truth I didn’t notice the differences. It was in a blue jar and the label was similar. And it worked. So Mike relented and used it. At least that one time. But the real Vicks is his go-to for any and every ailment.

So this week we looked it up. It turns out, according to the YouTube expert we consulted, there are numerous uses for the stuff. Everything from muscle pains and cracked heels to an irritated throat and minor cuts. It supposedly will heal minor cuts, toenail fungus and earaches. 

And if that isn’t enough, you can use it to stop a door hinge from squeaking or put it on the nose of your racehorse to keep him focused. Who knew? They even claim it will fade bruises and clear acne.

As it turns out, Mike is probably closer in his claim that Vicks cures  all ills than I am with chocolate pudding. 

But for the record, I will continue to hold onto my view of chocolate pudding as strong medicine simply because it tastes better. 

It may not cure everything, but it doesn’t hurt.

Dinner Hacks

 Dinner Hacks

I learned early in my adult life that when the dinner bell rings everyone is suddenly hungry. Okay, no…I do not have a dinner bell. However, the same flurry of activity and the anticipation of food arrives nearly the same time every day. 

There is often the “What’s for dinner?” question thrown around. I have learned answering that question with, “I don’t know…what did you cook?” is not met with the humor intended. Well, the sarcastic humor intended, anyway.

I grew up in a time when women did most of the cooking in the household. That isn’t necessarily true anymore. For example, my son-in-law, David is a great cook and Mike, though more comfortable at the grill, is willing to pitch in if I need him. 

Actually, I enjoy cooking. Most of the time.

Grandma always said,
"Set the table first."

 

There are times however, I get busy writing or completing some project and don’t enjoy the pressure of having to come up with something. On some of those occasions, Mike is also willing to pullout his favorite “recipe” called Door Dash. Just sayin’. Not Knocking it. It works for me. On occasion. Of course, too much going out or ordering in is costly as well as loaded with stuff that isn’t particularly good for you.

That said, here are a few hacks to keep your Hungry Harrys at bay:

1)        As a young bride, my grandmother told me always set the table first. When your family heads toward the kitchen and sees the table is set, they figure dinner is nearly ready and so they go about their business until the proverbial dinner bell rings. I’ve used this one many times.

2)        Craft a list of menu items so when you’re tired you don’t have to “come up with something.” I always keep pasta sauce and a variety of pastas in my pantry. Usually, you’ll find string cheese (great to stuff manicotti) or frozen meatballs in the freezer. Those meals can be ready in minutes.

3)        Give yourself a few “I don’t have to think about dinner tonight” days. For example, when the weather is good, Mike always grills burgers on Fridays. I don’t need to even think about dinner on Fridays except to heat a can of baked beans and open a bag of chips. I know families who have “Taco Tuesdays.” That is a great “no think” cooking day.

Those are a few ideas. I’m sure you have more. Keep a frozen pizza around? Canned chicken for quick chicken salad? 

Of course, when I was a young bride and on a strict budget, the menu included “dinner and mom and dad’s or dinner at grandma’s. Hey, sometimes you do what you have to do, right?

 

Home

Home is Where You Cut the Grass

Is it possible to be in two places at the same time? No. And yes. 

Physically we cannot be in two places at the same time. Yet as Mike and I visited family in Ohio this week, I realized we recognize our Ohio house as our "home” as we do our Florida house.

Since, for the present we spend most of our time in Florida, we have a young man who comes to mow the lawn in Ohio regularly. Mow. Nothing more. When we arrived on the scene, we could see clearly our “visit” would include workdays. The flowerbeds needed weeding and we had honeysuckle growing up places we didn’t want it. 

Actually, I don’t want honeysuckle anywhere. (I’ll leave a link at the bottom for an earlier post on the invasive weed with the beautiful name.)

Mike visited his favorite store (Ace Hardware) and purchased what he described as a “MacDaddy Weed Eater.” He put a blade on it instead of string-trimmer line. Mike chopped, pulled, and dug up everything he could. The pile was growing. In fact, all three piles grew high. Too high for the firepit. Too much to load up in bags for the recycle truck. He cut and pulled and piled at least a full day and a half. Then he sprayed the roots so they shouldn’t come back. At least not those specific weeds.

One of THREE BIG PILES!
(Looks Like a Beaver Dam to Me.)

I helped.

A little.

I did bring him cold water and pointed when he missed a root or something. Most of all, I stayed out of the way as he asked. 

In that way I was very helpful.

When we leave this home to go home, it will be in good shape. By that time, we’ll be rested. We’ll hit the road early and arrive in Florida late.

 

We’ll fall into bed and say, “It’s good to be home.” And, in all likelihood, we’ll get up the next morning, look out over the lawn toward the lake and say, “Hmmm… we need to mow. And weed. And spray.”

Maybe home isn’t where the heart is after all. Maybe home is where the lawn tools are stored.

CLICK HERE to read a post I called "Death by Honeysuckle."

 

The Secret

The Secret 

My mother always told me the secret to being a good hostess is to treat your family like company and your company like family. 

In fact, I shared a story about that in the Chicken Soup for the Soul book titled “The Best Advice I Ever Heard.” They not only published it they did a podcast about it. Cool, huh?

It is good advice.

Mike and I recently hosted a couple from church for dinner. Those words rang in my ears as I prepared our house and planned the menu.

“Treat your family like company and your company like family.”

A couple of weeks later, Mike and I traveled to Ohio for a family visit. On the way we stopped at our favorite gas station, Buc-ee’s.

I first heard of Buc-ee’s while heading to South Carolina several years ago with my oldest daughter. Allision suggested we stop there for gas and maybe get something for breakfast. I don’t know about you, but I’m not generally keen on “gas station food.” Still, I figured there might be a McDonald’s or something nearby, so we watched for the signs with the big toothy beaver on them as we traveled the interstate. 

We pulled in and I was, at the very least, overwhelmed. Buc-ee’s is HUGE. I have never seen so many gas pumps. And the store inside? Crazy big…with the cleanest bathrooms I had ever experienced while traveling. And I have travelled a lot!

When Mike and I started dating, I told him about Buc-ee’s. I tried to describe it. I’m pretty sure the low gas prices caught his attention. But once he stopped there, he couldn’t help but take a long look at some of the large firepits they had for sale. The sandwich he bought was both a bargain and delicious and the number of gas pumps impressed him as it did me. 

(As a note on the side: On Christmas day last year, Mike and I saw families in their Christmas pajamas taking selfies at Buc-ee’s. Whole families. Seriously.)

Understand, this is not a commercial for the place, but an observation. 

Buc-ee’s is not a “gas station.” It isn’t a “restaurant,” either. Buc-ee’s is more of what I would call “an experience.” It may be because it is big. Make that… over the top. It could be the low gas prices or the good food. 

There is a possibility it is simply unique. At least I’ve never seen anyplace like it. The closest was the old Stuckey’s stores when I was a child. 

But I’m pretty sure there is more to it than the enormity of the place or the store or food or gas. The workers are smiling as if they are all genuinely happy to see customers walk through the doors. 

I’m thinking…perhaps…just maybe…my momma shared with them that one simple truth: “Treat your family like company and your company like family.”

 

Alligator Annie

 Alligator Annie

I learned long ago alligators are part of the Florida landscape. I know they live in any and every body of water around. You may not see them, but they are there. I respect them, but I don’t fear them. Understand…I don’t necessarily like them either. They’re sort of…I don’t know…prehistoric looking.

Am I going to knowingly swim alongside a five-foot gator? No. Will I still swim in a lake or river or spring where they may or may not be? Sure. I don’t bother them and they don’t bother me. Most “alligator incidents” happen when people don’t respect them or go places they ought not be going.

That said, this past week, Mike and I were outside. I was on the dock and had a piece of rope in my hand, the end of which was dangling in the water. A small alligator…really small…swam over and, intrigued by my dangling rope, opened his mouth and took a big bite. Well, not exactly a bite. He sunk his teeth into the knot on the end of the rope.

 

I squealed and Mike came running.

Mike is very brave.

 

Mike is very brave. As I held the rope, my sweet husband reached over and grabbed the little guy right behind his head. (I started to say “around his neck,” but I’m not sure on an alligator where the neck starts or if there actually is a neck. It’s more like one long scaly critter from snout to tail.)

I digress.

 

The gator let go of the knot. I ran to the house for the boat key and my phone. Yeah, well, I had to get a picture or two, right?

Mike bravely let the boat down with his free hand, eased it out into the lake, and steered it with his left hand. All the while, he held the small creature safely beside him.

 

Me? I sat facing them. Like I said, I’m not afraid of alligators…much. I simply figured it was prudent to not turn my back on him. And besides…what if Mike needed me suddenly to… steer the boat or call for help, or something?

 

As I look back on it…I was being very brave, too. And I will admit it was kind of exciting. 

We didn’t go far, but there is a grassy area in our lake near a small island with trees. Mike let the little guy down into the water and he swam away. I think he will be much happier in those wetlands away from our house.

I thanked Mike over and over and told him how proud I am of his heroic actions. “Hey,” he said, “you caught him.”

And truth be told, now that the gator was nowhere to be seen, I felt much braver. 

It was a sort of Crocodile Dundee moment. So I pulled out my middle name and now call myself “Alligator Annie.”

 

 

Failure to Launch

 Failure to Launch

Back in April you may remember I shared that our sweet dog, Roxy, was going to live with her “daddy.” She was, after all, Shawn’s dog. If you missed that post, you can read it by clicking HERE.

After dropping the two dogs and the cat off at Shawn’s house, Mike and I went on down to the Florida Keys for our anniversary. We had a great time and Shawn enjoyed having the critters around. He was ready for them. It was a little disappointing, however, that the cat learned how to use the doggy door he installed before Roxy did.

These animals love Shawn. They’ve known him all of their lives. And Shawn loves them. He offers loving care. Even when he was away at work, he could see what they were doing via a camera he installed and could talk to them. 

As they say at NASA, all systems were “go.”

When Mike and I returned the following week, we stopped at Shawn’s house to pick up Honeybee and Tiki-Kitty. We knew they enjoyed the visit but were happy to head home as well. 

We were barely on the interstate when Shawn called. Roxy was going nuts. I think she felt left out. Mike calmly told Shawn to give her a little time. 

Shawn did. He brought her back to us the next day.

Sometimes Life is Tough

Don’t misunderstand. Shawn loves that dog. He wants her to be happy. Being with the rest of her animal family makes Roxy happy. 

You see, Roxy is a very responsible member of the family. It didn’t’ take her long to realize Shawn’s house was functioning smoothly and would continue to do so without her. You could see the worry lines on her face when she thought of the calamity that might befall our household without her. 

You Can see the Worry Lines 
On Her Sweet Face

Roxy feels a deep obligation to be here and care for Honeybee. She is committed to keeping Tiki on her toes. Roxy was concerned, I think, that without her patrolling our yard, those pesky squirrels might wreak havoc. And I’m sure the main reason she drools on the floor is to remind me to mop it. Dirt and stuff doesn’t always show up on that wood grain.

At NASA they would call this little experiment a “Failure to Launch.” But for us it is…well, it’s merely a family reunion and All Systems Are Go.

 

Self-Inflicted Wounds

Tending to Self- Inflicted Wounds

Have you ever read a book that was terrible? A book where the writing was so awful YOU wish YOU HAD NEVER WRITTEN IT? 

That’s right. I recently read a book I wrote a few years ago. I was sure it was pretty good... but might need a little work. 

A little? I know what I had in mind…except I was probably a little out of my mind when it came to putting the story on paper. 

The truth is...this was a book I had just started writing the week Tom died. That was in October of 2014. Nearly ten years ago. It was always hanging over me like a half painted living room ceiling. I “finished” the book in 2021 and sent it to a publisher. The editors who read it were kind but honest. 

Brutally honest. But that’s what I needed.

They basically said the book has potential…with a lot of work. I put it away. Out of sight. Out of mind. In the meantime, I had a few “fits and starts” for a couple of other books, but lacked the motivation to make them happen.

As most of my readers know, I remarried in 2023. Mike is a good man. He encourages me in my writing. I know that is a blessing. I find myself interested in crafting more than my blog now. 

I recently took inventory. I have three novels at various stages of development. In that dark time of my life I would have an idea, scratch out forty or fifty thousand words, become distracted, and abandon the project all together. 

Now? Anything is possible.

With that confidence, I printed the novel I pitched to those publishers in 2021 and started reading it again, cutting it apart (literally), and trying to make sense of it. 

A Cut, Toss, and Paste
Novel...of sorts.
This is how some of us write!

I re-read the email the editor sent me. She offered a few options I could try. She never mentioned the fact there were entire portions missing valuable information and some of the text simply didn’t make sense. 

I suppose she figured those issues would be resolved in a rewrite anyway and didn’t want to overwhelm me. 

Not to worry. I was already overwhelmed. Simply getting the book off my plate was a relief. When it came back with a rejection, I set it aside.  Until now.

Now I am ready. Now I am reading the comments the editor offered with new appreciation. 

The book may take a totally different turn. I don’t know. What I do know is that I am writing again and it feels good.

P.S. I talked with that editor from Mt. Zion Ridge Press before publishing this. I apologized for sending her such a goofy manuscript. She gets it...and she knew that was a tender time in my life. Armed with her words of confidence in what the book could be, I am tackling the story from a different angle. And I am reminding myself we are all on this journey together.