The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The first half of May delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

The first half of May has already delivered an astounding basketful of surprises, unexpected opportunities, and exciting developments. For the first sixteen days, my blank pages contain very few freshly minted words—translation—none, zip, zilch, nada. But when fortune’s favor smiled on me and offered a rare chance to unplug, unwind, and decompress for two entire weeks, I jumped. I don’t regret my decision. It’s a familiar tale. We don’t realize we need a break until we pack our bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

However, a vacation, sabbatical, leave of absence, or time off is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Responsibilities do not disappear. Bills require payment, obligations hold their bond, and promises must be kept. Few commitments are more important than the ones we make with ourselves. The face in the mirror knows when we make excuses, attempt to rationalize our decisions or lie. The same image is also kind, caring, and recognizes the truth in our words. I try my hardest to ensure I don’t disappoint my biggest supporter.

Each month, I average about 12,000 written words, and I have a similar expectation for this month. Feeling rested, recharged, and full of ideas, I’m betting I can reach my goal by writing 800 words every day through the end of the month. I’m ready. Are you?

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

I woke to rain spattering on my window and wished I had the luxury of pulling the covers over my head and going back to sleep. But the planting crew with my new trees confirmed an 8 am start time, so I reluctantly threw back my covers, forced my feet to connect with the floor, and stumbled to the shower. Coffee, always the first order of my day, was finished when the trucks pulled in front of the house.

Five hours later, the weather cleared, transplanted trees and bushes settled into their new, forever homes, and my muse whispered in my ear. She planted seeds in my mind and prodded my characters to resume their tales. My muse is a cruel mistress, and she demands my obedience. But I have been working without her guidance for too long, and I will gratefully do her bidding. She says she has been watching me, and today we start the actual work.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 517 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer

Spring has sprung. May 1 is the last date this area expects a hard frost, and my yard work is in full swing. Yesterday began the carefully choreographed parade of contractors that starts with the call to mark the buried utility lines in the yard. Next on the agenda is the sprinkler system turn on, winter damage assessment, and flagging the sprinkler heads.

Thursday’s schedule involves planting two new trees. The Black Tupelo in the front yard replaces the canker-infested Blue Spruce we removed in February. I selected a Bald Cypress and a handful of Red Twig Dogwood shrubs to create an attractive accent against the white fence in the backyard. They will help control the standing water that pools along the fence line during wet weather.

The big event is Friday and Saturday. Weeping pine sap from the Blue Spruce killed the front lawn and left the soil too acidic for a successful reseeding. The crew will remove the dead grass, backfill with new soil, level the area, and lay new sod. They will also redefine the existing garden beds, and establish new layouts around the fresh plantings, then top-dress with mulch.

I’m also power washing the house and fence, adding new perennials to freshen the curb appeal, and in a few weeks, when the weather is warmer, setting out tomatoes, basil, peppers, and perhaps a few other vegetables in my garden plot. Even with the added activity, I haven’t forgotten my focus.

No matter the challenges and the obstacles blocking my way, I maintain the item at the top of my list as a non-negotiable. Yesterday I wrote 389 words.

Did you write yesterday?

_________________________________________

Keep on writing.

Jo Hawk The Writer