Put One Foot in Front of the Other

It’s time for my progress report. Happily, September was a much better month than August. But it was also a month where I didn’t reach many of my goals. This year has been like that for many of us. It’s a year when many of us are struggling. Where we are all on a journey of change–a slow, difficult and messy journey. All many of us can do is… put one foot in front of the other. 

Making

I finished the rough draft of If I Should Die. As far as rough drafts go, I’m happy with it. The past three weeks, I have been identifying weaknesses and strengths of the story. It will probably be another week, maybe two, before I begin edits. That’s when the real fun starts!

I’m working on bringing some old stories to life. Still have a couple more hurdles before I can release them.

Managing

I’ve made a few improvements on this site. Expanded some resources listed for readers and for writers.

Figured out a couple of problems with the new mail service. Hopefully that’s the last major hurdle. Now I just need some time to dedicate to finish up the last touches.

I celebrated my 500th blog post with a giveaway. That contest is ongoing. Please enter or spread the word.

The only reading I accomplished was reading a friend’s manuscript. I made some recommendations. Honestly, it only needed a few tweaks.

I have completed statistics for the month of September. And of course, the end of September is also the end of the third quarter. Also done.

My learning journey continues. I’ve taken several web classes lately. The primary topics are marketing and blurb writing. I won’t bore you with the details.

On the Home Front

My son did a massive amount of work on the lawn at the beginning of the month. And we now have some baby grass where old shrubs used to be and through out the yard. Our house sits on a lot and a half. So there’s a lot of lawn to water (my job). But the new grass is growing and looking good! Accomplished just in time as they predict our first hard frost for next week.

I have been enjoying some Netflix bingeing. I haven’t watched much television for the past five or six years, so I’ve got some major catching up to do. Doesn’t have a thing to do with avoiding certain chores… Nope. Not a thing.

Before school started, my grandson and I went to the Kansas City Zoo. We zipped around there trying to see everything in four brief hours. Didn’t make it. But we had fun.

Other than my trip to the zoo and essential doctor’s visits, Hubby and I have stayed home. I do most of our shopping online and get it delivered. But when we have to go out, we continue to mask and social distance and use good handwashing. I hope you do, too. 

The Quarter and the Year-to-Date

I evaluate my progress each month and each quarter because I want to improve. To improve anything means you have to want to change. And change is a hard, slow, messy journey.

With the huge  issues going on in the world, I can’t see clearly. I am uncertain what has worked. A lot hasn’t. Ugh. It’s 2020, you know? I’ve met very few of the goals I set in January. Of course, this year’s challenges have been unusually… challenging. 

It’s imperative that I remember I am only in control of what I do. And all I can do, all any of us can do, is to keep trying. Stay on this hard, slow, messy journey. Put one foot in front of the other.