Tag: dailyprompt

How do you plan your goals?

I have fallen behind on my goal planning. Life has gotten in the way. Like the old adage says, “if you want to make God laugh, make plans.” Goals are important.

For me putting them in a journal/planner helps. I write down what I want to accomplish in a three month period. Three months out is about as far as I can go. I might have plans that extend farther out but I still need to figure them out in smaller chunks. I learned how from Sarra Cannon’s HB90 course which I highly recommend.

Break the quarter into smaller sections. What has to be done, what needs to be done and what would I like to do. Some things like writing a novel will take time. Maybe longer than the quarter. But I can set a goal for the first draft. Planning my marketing strategy might vary from immediate to long term. But with each task I can break them down into smaller and smaller pieces. What has to happen first?

When I take the time to plan, life seems to work better. Unfortunately, I don’t often sit down and think about what I need to do, or I allow other things to overwhelm me.

Do you have a good way to plan and achieve your goals?

What profession do you admire most and why?

First Responders: EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, police officers and especially those who are volunteers. We have an excellent volunteer fire department and I admire anyone willing to risk their lives to help others. They devote their time and effort to their community. Even those who are in paid positions are not paid enough for the services they provide. As the mom of a volunteer firefighter, I know the education and training that goes into this and respect their dedication.

If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

I’d love to have a coffee and book store. As a writer, I’d sell my own books plus books from other local authors along with a cup of coffee, tea or maybe a smoothie. Magic Beans and Books!

List your top 5 favorite fruits.

Pineapple, fresh pineapple is probably my top favorite fruit of all time but I have to be careful and not eat too much or it’ll blister my mouth.

Strawberries sweet and fresh picked, frozen, dried or in a jam. I love strawberry cheesecake, shortcake and milkshakes, and strawberry pastries, but the best way to eat strawberries is while cleaning them after a day of picking.

Cherries or grapes, it’s a toss up, but I can eat a whole bag of either in a day if I don’t pace myself.

Tangerines or the little cuties. They are sweet, tart and citrusy. I love citrus but tangerine is one of my favorites.

Mangos edge out apples, bananas and other fruit. While I am still not good at picking one out, I love it when I get a sweet and juicy one.

Is an avocado a fruit? Hmm? If it is, I might have to rethink my top five.

What is your favorite fruit?

How do you use social media?

Social media keeps us connected with friends and family who live faraway. I use social media to promote my books and meet readers. But there’s also a darker side of social media. We’ve seen people bullying others, comparing their lives to others and even making fun of groups of people. When I see the mean, I have to say something, but my I often think of getting off social media altogether. Things seem better lately or maybe I have deleted those who don’t represent what I believe. I feel that it’s better to lift people up than tear them down. As I was taught as a child, if I can’t say anything nice, I keep my mouth shut.

How do you use social media? What do you think about the way people treat each other online? Have you thought about deleting your apps?

Share your thoughts.

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

My husband and I enjoy the figure skaters and the gymnastics team but truly during Summer and Winter Olympics we find ourselves watching nearly everything.

I am awed by the hard work and dedication of these athletes. Many have trained for years and never make it to the final show. It’s heartbreaking.

I believe the media has done a good job of not only showing the glamour of being part of the Olympics, but have humanized it, and allowed us to become invested in the competitors.

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

Objects, well as a writer I would go in debt for my computer and I use my phone for marketing and to stay connected with friends and family, but what is the third, probably my coffee pot, although a good pair of shoes is close behind.

Things are things, and while they make my life convenient, I can’t think of anything I can’t live without.

If I didn’t have a computer I’d write on paper. If my phone was suddenly gone, it might be a blessing. I have made coffee over a campfire or on the stove, and while it’s been a long time, I remember going barefooted.

There’s nothing I can’t live without but there’s a lot of people I wouldn’t want to do without. There’s also honesty, integrity, loyalty and kindness that I don’t want to live without.

What can’t you live without?

Do you believe in fate/destiny?

Yes, but not blind fate. We make choices whether to accept what fate has given us.

Charles walked past the young woman painting the front of the tiny flower shop. With his attention on his phone, he was oblivious to his destiny until she took a step back.

Olivia took a step back and realized she had missed the last step. She and her tray of paint stumbled against a stranger splashing the colorful paint on the young man’s jacket.

“Oh, I am so sorry. I missed the step. Please send me the dry cleaning bill.”

His glare turned to a stare, followed by a blush as Olivia blotted at his chest with a paper towel. “It’s fine,” he growled.

Looking up at his face, Olivia blushed and handed him the towel. “At least let me buy you lunch.”

As he stared into her eyes, he felt the overwhelming desire to kiss her and make her feel better. She seemed so familiar, as if he’d known her forever. “What’s your name?”

L