Off to a Good Start!

I am already feeling more myself now that we have started to settle in to our new surroundings. It helps that the weather has been mostly lovely and the surroundings are beautiful.

Most of all, I find that now that we are back into more "normal" routines, my creative juices are flowing like crazy! I seem to be more productive when I have a variety of things to do.

On early-up days, we sit outside and watched the sun rise, and I've been scribbling and sketching in my journal. I've been inspired to write some poems, and the emotions beneath our many experiences last year seem ready to come up and find their way into my writing.

My plan this year is to offer my blog at least once or twice a month to support other writers and help them promote their work. So, if you have a book coming out, or a blogging event, or would like to expand your reach with guest posts, just drop me a note. 

I hope that 2013 is getting off to a good start for you too, and that it will bring you productivity, creativity and prosperity of every kind.

A Soft Landing

Just 15 days ago, we emptied the RV and moved into the condo we are renting here in Punta Gorda, Florida. It's a beautiful place in a lovely complex that has lots of amenities. We've been going through all the hassle of a move - you know - new driver's licenses, registering the car, getting insurance, finding doctors  - life today is sure complicated! But we are on the other side of most of that now and beginning to see just how lovely this change might be.

One of the best things that has happened is that there is a yoga studio here that has invited me to teach for them. Right now I am going through my "trial" period, so we can see if it's a good fit for both the studio and me. I think it is - they have a very gentle and nurturing approach to their teaching and their atmosphere, and that's very much in line with where I am now. So, if all goes well, I'll be on the regular schedule starting next month.

I bought a nice vintage writing desk at a local consignment shop and am feeling very much ready to get back into the swing of things. I only paid $89 for it - here's a picture:

I feel like myself again, and that feels good. The nice thing about teaching yoga is that the schedule allows plenty of free time for writing. My goal is to finish the sequel to The Christmas Village and get it published before year-end. I just got an envelope filled with letters from kids whose teachers read them the book, and they It feels good to be setting goals again too. Their letters are all the motivation I need to get cracking!

This morning, I opened my eyes to see the bright orange glow of sunrise beyond the palm trees outside our window. Sorry - I didn't have the camera handy! But here are a few pictures around and about where we are.

Views from our lanai:

The pool area:

The Juan Ponce de Leon Park - a half mile from the condo. We take our morning walk up to here and back, and often come and sit here in the afternoons:

As you can see, we have landed well and I am very grateful for how it's all turning out.

It feels good to have an address again and to be establishing some of the rituals of daily life. I look forward to teaching yoga and to writing. 

Our RV adventure was the experience of a lifetime and I will treasure the memories always. My goal now, as I re-enter "normal" life, is to try to make the world a better place with whatever I do - teaching yoga, writing, talking with kids and other writers about books and creativity, and spending time with family and friends.