Things to Think About

            As Emma entered the kitchen, a fire was burning in the wood stove, and a kettle of water was boiling, but neither Izzy nor Lucy was tending it. That's odd, Emma thought to herself. Usually, both of them spent the early morning hours in the kitchen, cooking or baking for the day.

            Emma walked to the front of the house and out the main door unto the veranda. She saw the four workers standing in a huddle at the barn. Izzy had her eyes on the house, but she didn't move when Emma came out the door.

            "What is the matter?" she called when she was still twenty feet away.

            Saul and Izzy shook their heads, but the two youngsters kept their eyes on the frozen ground.

            "What is going on?" Emma stopped next to them and placed a hand on Izzy's shoulder.

            "Well, finally, a human bein'," a voice came from just beyond the worried group.

            Emma dropped her hand and watched two men emerge from the darkness of the barn.

            "Might you be the mistress of the house?" the taller man asked. Both of them were disheveled and smelled to the point that Emma instantly felt dirty in the presence of these strangers. 

            "Who are you?" She thought she could guess as she struggled to keep her voice even, pleasant but not friendly.

            "We’s lookin' for some runaway slaves, and these four fit the description."

            "These four people have been working here for several years; they work for Mr. Cook, who runs the mercantile in town. Surely, you've heard of him."

            "Can't say we have, but we ain't from 'round here. We're from Tennessee, huntin' runaway slaves."       

            Emma's worst fears were realized. She broke out in a sweat despite the cold outside. What could she say or do to make these men leave peaceably? And if she did say or do the wrong thing, would they find out about all the slaves who had been helped to freedom through Mr. Cook’s house?

            One of the men shifted, and Emma noticed for the first time that a rifle hung from his right hand. She glanced at the other man and saw his weapon as well. She fought the feeling of panic, which was lurching into her chest.

 

    It’s been a long time since I’ve shared any excerpts from my recent books. This one is from Chapter 23 of “Prior to Now”. 

    Emma is the town’s young school teacher, rooming in the large house of Mr. Cook, the founder of the town of Prior Gulch. Izzy, Saul, Lucy, and Oscar work for him and live with him as well. At the time, Emma didn’t even know if they had once been slaves and if so had they gained their freedom? Or were they runaways as these men claimed?

    If it were you, what would you do? Risk your life for these people who had become your only friends in town? What could you possibly do against two men with loaded guns?

     Hopefully you are never faced with that situation. But have there been times when you have been asked to do something incredibly uncomfortable? Defend a friend against bullies? Stand up for yourself when you’re being picked on? Write your opinion on someone’s Facebook page when they’ve posted something disrespectful? Support the least popular candidate, the one who shares the same values you do?

     A few things to think about. Maybe 2023 isn’t so different from the 1860s. 

And July is over

 Not only did this week get away from me, but it looks like the whole month of July did as well. Did I accomplish any of my goals for the month? A few. I’m seeing 65% completed.  

Writing:

1)     Write 4,000 words on my next novel. Somehow, I wrote 6820 words. I find that hard to believe as I haven’t written anything in the last week and a half, and it felt like every word I wrote the entire month was like birthin’ a baby. Hmm? I guess I’ll keep plugging away at it then.

2)     Edit the latest devotional that I started writing. Hmm? I worked on it a little bit but didn’t really do any editing.

Reaching:

            1)   Promote one of my latest works, “Prior to Now”, “Chris Coping with the Covid- 19 Crisis” and “Holding All the Aces” once a week. Nope, probably more like every other week.

            2)  Attend vendor sale on July 3. Done.  

            3)  Research other vendor sales. Done, signed up for one October 7.

Reading:

            1)  Read two books. Yes, done.

            2)  Read and study four chapters in the Book of Acts for my Thursday Bible study group. Only did three chapters, but since we only met three times during the month, I really have to call it accomplished.  

Retiring:

            1)  Go camping one week. Yes, and it was miserable, but we will try again soon.   

            2)  Research my trip to Cambodia in the fall once a week. Only did twice all month.

            3)  Secure cheaper health insurance by the end of July, assuming I won’t have to stay on the expensive insurance, because now my back is a pre-existing condition. I have to delete this because my back is still being dumb, so I had to stick with the expensive insurance for one more month.

Ranching:

            1)  Thoroughly clean one room in the house. No, still not up to it.

            2)  Complete a sewing project. Hmm? I sewed a pair of shorts and did a few other mending projects, so yes.

            3)  Work on my family tree once a week. Hmm? Again I think it was only once or twice.

 Also, the MRI I had on July 7 showed EXACTLY what I predicted. “Your back is a mess, it might get better on its own in six to twelve months, but we’ll send you to a specialist coz they might have an idea, but you can’t get in to see them for six weeks, so good luck with that.”

Argh! I’ve been going to a different chiropractor, which seems to be helping a little. I’m also trying to take a half-mile walk every day as well as the exercises my physical therapist gave me. I’m also getting another massage next week. We’ll see.

But I leave for Cambodia in six weeks, so this back has got to be 98% better by then.

So what else do I want to get done in August?

Writing:

1)     Write 4,000 words on my next novel, “Ice Cream Spies.”

2)     Edit the latest devotional that I started writing. The working title is “Bones, and Stones, and Pain, oh my.”

Reaching:

            1)   Promote one of my latest works, “Prior to Now”, “Chris Coping with the Covid- 19 Crisis” and “Holding All the Aces” once a week.

            2)  Promote the vendor sale on October 7.

            3) Sew four book bags for the vendor sale on October 7.

            4)  Research other fall vendor sales.

            5) Actually pay for some sort of advertising, because what little I am doing on my own is simply not enough.  

Reading:

            1)  Finish reading “Anna Karenina.” This is a crazy goal. That book is soooo ridiculously long! I’ve been at it for a week and have only read 10%..

            2)  Read and study four chapters in the Book of Acts for my Thursday Bible study group.     

Remaining:

            1)  Go camping.         

            2)  Once a week do research my trip to Cambodia in the fall. Also meet up with my friend who is going there with me, to discuss our plans.  

            3)  Seriously get that cheaper health insurance by the end of the month, coz I’m just not going to pay this much anymore.

I’m also really going to take it easy all month. I have to take better care of myself this month to get ready for Cambodia.

Well, that’s it for now. By the time I post my goals again, summer will be over. Make it a good month. Chris

In addition to going camping for five days with Hubby,

I went for a hike with my sister one day, 

went for walks with my daughter and her dog on two separate days, 

took a mile walk around our nearest state park, 

and spent one night at a cabin with my daughter.
No wonder I didn't get more done! But our summer is too short as it is. A person has to get out and enjoy it while you can.