Next Summer, You Will Dance to a Different Beat

It has been two years.  They went by quickly as all years seem to do once you reach a certain age, but my own self-imposed obligation made time appear "quick as lightning".  "Already?" I'd mutter when the calendar jumped to a new month.  Then it was time to search notes and decide on the subject of the next post.  A few months I shared short stories I'd written.  Yes, blogging is difficult for me, but I'm rather proud of the fact I met last year's resolution to at least post a new entry per month.  I've been doing this for two years, which is a big accomplishment as I never thought I'd be able to continue with it.  My goal is to carry on and if I blog more, all the better, but I'm not promising anything.

While keeping this blogging commitment, other things happened in my life.  I finished the manuscript of my third book and one particular literary agent, who asked to "read a full", still has it.  It has been with the agent quite some time and while I try to remain positive about the situation, realistically the odds are it will be rejected.  I'm almost to the point of wishing it would happen just so I could move on to the next step and publish it myself.  Those who have submitted manuscripts to agents and publishers probably know what I mean.  The wait and unknown are brutal, the end result the same.  I won't get into specifics now but maybe it'll be the subject of a new post this year.

The year 2013 was good to my family.  My youngest daughter graduated from college summa cum laude (I can boast).  My husband and I traveled to Hawaii, visited with old friends in Philadelphia, met a new one in Sedona, Arizona.  I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time in my life and it was as emotional as I thought it would be.  The vastness and beauty are breathtaking.  Las Vegas and seeing the Hoover Dam rounded out that trip and I must admit Vegas wasn't my cup of tea (but I didn't expect it to be).

A lifetime "to do" list included seeing the Eagles in concert and I crossed that off as an accomplishment last year.  I saw them perform at the United Center in Chicago...a great three and a half hour show.  It was wonderful and I was happy for days afterwards.

My Fine Art America account proved a little profitable in its first year of existence.  I made some sales of my photography prints and if anyone is interested in checking out some of the photos, here is the link:  veronica-batterson.artistwebsites.com.  I attended some local author fairs throughout the year and also accomplished: the start of a new manuscript for the next book.  Short stories continue. 

A few months ago, after a nice dinner of Chinese food, I opened the obligatory fortune cookie.  It read, "Next Summer, You Will Dance to a Different Beat".  The only thing at this point that I know will happen in the summer is my daughter's wedding.  I liked the prediction so much that I chose to make it the title of this post because of its quirkiness.  Something to potentially write about, I guess, but an exciting expectation for the new year...along with all of those resolutions to keep.

While I didn't mean for this post to be a recap of what happened to me or "a year in the life of...", that's how it developed, unfortunately. It reminds me of those letters people used to send with their Christmas cards, explaining everything that happened to them that year.  Sorry, everyone.

In closing, a toast:  I hope all of you have a wonderful 2014, full of promise and good health.  May your expectations be hopeful, your outlook bright and may you all dance to a different beat.