Gone Viewing

Today I was able to get to the top of a mountain and see the beautiful view out across the valleys.  The weather could have been a little better, as the clouds obscured some of it.  But it was still very nice.

Being Grateful

There are many things I'm grateful for.  At this time of the year, we all spend a little more time thinking about them.

I'm thankful for my family, who are wonderful and awesome.  They make me laugh, and they hold me up on their shoulders so I can stand tall.  They walk beside me, and they run ahead.  I'm so proud of what they accomplish, and of how much I enjoy when we all get together.

I'm thankful for my friends.  They make every day enjoyable.  There are jokes that last for years, and they're there when I'm feeling down. 

I'm thankful for my health.  I've been through some small wringers and made it to the other side. In many things I am so lucky, and hope I continue to be.

I'm thankful for the act of exercise.  I don't know that I love jogging, but I enjoy accomplishing it.  I like being on the other end of a work out and knowing that I did well.

I'm thankful for writing.  Sometimes it is hard and sometimes it comes much easier, but in general, it is always a process that I enjoy. 

Exciting! A review of my story The Mercy of Gulls

I became aware that my story, The Mercy of Gulls, had a review!

Of course, authors are generally always concerned about reviews--just like everybody else, we like to hear good things about our hard work and effort.  But sometimes hearing about how things didn't work is a way to make one think and become better.

But overall, I'm *so* pleased.

The review is here, so you can see for yourselves:
http://briefencountersreviews.com/2012/10/31/the-mercy-of-gulls-by-tray-ellis/

I am seriously thinking about the issue of 'horror stories', because while my story is a romance, on one level, it is also certainly a horror story on another.  I suppose horror can be exceedingly tricky--what is frightening to one person isn't at all to another.

More Exercising

There's a local group that runs on Saturdays.  I've been able to join them off and on for a while now.  My jogging is really starting to get where I want it to be, and it is so much nicer to have others to run with.

Halloween

I had the cutest Halloween ever.  My residence is amongst a dense residential location, and there were little ghosts and ghouls out everywhere this year!  The weather held tight, and while it was brisk, it was about to be expected for the location, and it wasn't raining.

I had a bowl full of candy ready to go, and a candle outside in a holder, and my porch-light on to show I was a friendly house.

I had TCM on in the background, complete with moody black and white zombie and vampire movies going, too.

I can't wait for next year!  I had a pumpkin this year, but couldn't bear to carve it, as they don't last once they are cut into.  But I'll get extra pumpkins next year and do some carving.