The World's Largest Penny and Update!

So it's again been a loooooong time and is it just me or is this summer going faster than ever? Well I went away for the weekend and noticed the World's Largest Penny was along the way and I just had to stop for it. Look at it! It's huge! It's made of concrete so not out of actual pennies, but it's nevertheless very neat.

There were pennies piled at the bottom too. The story is great. Dr. Kate, badass doctor of the northwoods, pushed to build a local hospital and apparently kids helped by getting penny donations. Hence the massive monument to the penny. I really love these sorts of interesting attractions and the stories behind them. I'm trying to get some inspiration out of it all!

On that note, a bit of a writing update. I've been working on a sequel to Flame and Snow and trying to figure out what to write next! I'm really tempted to go back to small town Wisconsin cozy mysteries and this penny only makes that worse. Otherwise I have a few shorter works that will be out towards the end of the year. I'll try to update more often!

Until then, Cheers!

A New Day Zero

You see those ducks? I fed those ducks! Feeding the ducks was something I hadn't done in a long time and I wanted to do it again. So I stuck it on a list, collected up my old bread, and tracked a few down. It was a great little calm moment in time, and much needed. (P.S. I guess they like pretzel buns best? If you were wondering.)

So, you all probably know that once upon a time I hated lists and now I love them with all my being because it's hard enough to keep track of characters' lives while writing. I certainly can't keep track of my own! I like to participate in Day Zero because while it *is* yet another list, it's a positive list, and I really need to check things off that aren't chores. Plus, as with the above duck adventure, this gets me to prioritize taking a little break or me-time, which I find I tend to put off.

Recently my first-ever Day Zero list ended and I ended up completing 75 out of the 101 items on it. Going into the final stretch I was a little glum about failing to get to so many things I'd wanted, but gradually I warmed to the fact that despite not completing 101 goals, I did do 75 things that I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have otherwise done. And that makes me happy. I have a lot of good memories from them--adopting pets, visiting nearby Crystal Cave, starting geocaching and realizing what an awesome hobby it is.

I've started up my next list now and am looking forward to seeing where it will take me. Feel free to have a look at it or even join me in my quest to use lists to make life and the world awesome. I think we all need to feel like we are doing things, and while we maybe can't get to all the things, it's important to encourage ourselves to get to what we can.

Cheers!

I Found Some Mushrooms

I found some mushrooms! Oh, and it flooded to some extent. We had a very rainy end to summer here, which did result in the rivers swelling. But really I'm excited to show you all pictures of the mushrooms I found in the park. I'm guessing all that rain was also great for the moist, dark places the mushrooms liked.

Behold!

This gorgeous mushroom! I have no idea what it is, but it is majestic and looks fantastical to me and that's all I care about. Maybe someday I'll get into researching everything about mushrooms and then have to write a novel about a mycologist, but today is not that day.

These are pretty cool too, a lot like the first though. The orange makes them seem dangerous. Or confident.

I loved how this one had a little stick. It seemed artistic.

This is what happened when I tried to be artistic. The undersides of mushroom caps are either not photogenic, or I am less adequate at pointing and clicking than I thought. I guess I'll leave the art to the forest.

These did not show up as red as they were. I was shocked at the variety of mushrooms all around. I've never seen so many in one place before.

And of course these. They might be my favorite. All in all, a fun day of nature-seeing. It really makes me realize just how little I know about the world, and how many fascinating things are all around.

Cheers!

 

Inspiration as the Seasons Turn

Yes, that's hail! Not the largest hail that ever fell, true, but enough to make an impression. So this post is going to be random because it is storming and the seasons are switching over and it's all just making my brain go.

I originally intended to make some post about autumn beginning tomorrow, how you can buy my 4th of July Yolks on You book Egg Whites and Blue to grasp at the last strands of summer, and my feelings on the turning of the seasons, but...then last night it hailed, stormed, and there's been wild rain and lightning off and on all day. And if there's one type of weather that really invigorates me it's a good storm. I've been unable to sit still.

I decided to do a tarot reading because I was feeling energized and wanted to see what the next season had in store for me. I have a lot of feelings about this season in particular because the crispness is refreshing and it smells great, but then on the other hand it seems to be the prologue to winter, and winter is far. too. long. Which made me nervous for the results.

Really I shouldn't have been, although interestingly the autumn is affecting me. The cards tell me it is on my mind, and it reminds me of mortality. This probably is going to affect my actions going forward, as it appears there is a lot creative drive, although specifically drive, pushing me onward. There looks like a lot of motivation, a push to conquer that which holds me back. Which sounds pretty good to me. If the changing of the seasons means an increased desire to complete projects so as not to die having done nothing, I'm all for it. Bring on the changing trees!

Cheers!

A Short Vacation

Ah, vacation. Home to this gorgeous sunrise on the beach. How is it that a sunrise is infinitely more magical when away from it all? Just look at it.

That's the view from the beach at New Smyrna Beach, FL, which the internet tells me is the shark bite capitol of the world. I opted not to swim. I did go down to the beach to watch the sunrise every day, but alas the trip was short. I've been decently recharged with inspiration moving forward, though! There were certainly some items of note.

Such as Dummit's Tomb, right in the middle of a street. I can say with complete honesty that a grave in the middle of a street was a first for me.

Other fascinating ruins included this playground/cemetery combo.

And the sugar mill ruins. I can't be the only one who likes to track down interesting or old places, right? Little cold Wisconsin me was very excited to get to run around without a coat or even a hoodie enjoying these things in the lovely weather.

It was a nice few days, but now it's back to writing. I'm not sure yet how this gorgeous place will factor into future stories, but it would be a bit surprising if it didn't, wouldn't it?

Anyway, I ought to leave you with a little something sweet.

Cheers!