Been Writing and So Much More!

If you've followed me on social media, I mentioned that I finished the draft of my story, "Anne Riddle and the Sheriff of Hell Bent."

I've been editing it and finding holes in the story everywhere. Oh, Boy! I hate editing! But, it's a lot easier to work with something than nothing. So, I'm proud of myself for finishing the draft.

I realized that Anne isn't "big enough" in the story, so I've been developing her character a bit. She's too quiet and meek. Yes, she's injured, but she can still talk and think, and she needs to do that.

Otherwise, I've been both teaching and learning.

For teaching, I've been offering classes in various Microsoft Office components at the local community center in the seniors' program. It keeps me busy and keeps my teaching chops sharp.

I got approved to teach two high school classes this summer, too. One on writing a college admissions essay, and the other on budgeting for college freshmen.

Then, I have a friend at the local Public Works office, and she is sending "her guys" to take classes on Excel from me, so my summer is jam-packed.

For learning, I signed up for some free classes on Canvas dot net.  I took a class called "Fantastic Fiction and Where to Find It" from a university in Scandinavia. It was in English, too! I've also participated in other classes, but that was the first one I finished.

The reason I signed up was TCM is offering a class on musicals starting next week. At least that's how I got involved with the Canvas site.

Every time I turn around another free class is being offered that I want to take. If you haven't checked out online learning opportunities, I urge you to do that. Besides Canvas, there are Corsera and Allison that I've been in contact with. There are other networks too, but these are the ones I've signed up with before. All of these sites offer free classes, many are run by universities around the world.

There are classes in psychology, sociology, education, computing, mathematics, physics, literature, business, and so much more. It's amazing what is out there! I found some syllabi to writing classes online, and I'll be reading the materials on their lists, even if I can't take the classes.

There is a class called "10,000 Women" that I would LOVE to take, but it conflicts with the TCM class, and I know my time is limited. So, I'm passing on it and sending the link to other women entrepreneurs. That class is only offered at certain times of the year, so it's tough to be already in the musicals class and having so much other stuff going on.

Healthwise, things haven't changed too much. I'll be going to Vanderbilt the end of this month to see if maybe they can figure out what's going on. The dizziness seems to be getting worse, as is my balance. And the "migraine blindness" episodes are becoming more frequent.

There may be nothing we can do, but I want an answer to why it keeps happening and what's going on anyway.

And Kitty, my little cat, is doing very well. She got another grooming at the end of March, and her fur is growing in nicely. She found a box she likes to sit in and watch the world go by, and she still flirts with the firemen when they come by. She's very loving. She likes to sit with me. She's still not much on smurfs to the face and she doesn't like to be held, but she's company. She greets me at the door and sits on me in the evenings and watches TV with me. She's discovered treats, and she loves to play. She's a hoot!

If nothing else, I'm staying young mentally. Doing all this stuff keeps me busy, keeps my mind working and my thinker thinking. None of it may mean anything in the end, but it is interesting anyway. And if a little permaculture or ecology class makes me more aware of my lifestyle and impact on the planet, I'm all for it.