Five Things - May 6, 2024

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can also follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. My first semester of school starts next month! It’s the summer semester, which includes residency, and I’ve registered for my classes, paid my tuition bill, and booked my travel plans. Grad school has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait to get started!

2. I had to get a new laptop last week. The screen on my old one wasn’t behaving and the battery wouldn’t hold a full charge, all signs of imminent failure. I didn’t want to wait until the last minute, but never in my experience purchasing and setting up new laptops has the process ever gone smoothly. Usually, I get home thinking I’ve asked the Genius Bar guy all my questions, but then it turns out my office suite is outdated and my spreadsheets look like gibberish, or my calendar events aren’t showing up, or my contacts won’t synch, or a whole bunch of files are hiding somewhere and I can’t find them, or every single application is logged out. I may sound a bit jaded, but after hours in the store, I’ve never come home and had a smooth transition. Well, I am pleased to report, I approached this mission with a very detailed list of ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, and now everything works. I’m almost afraid to say it aloud for fear the laptop gremlins will hear, but it's true. All is well in my tech world, at least for now.

3. We’re leaving Kansas City today, and it was definitely a fun stay! We caught a Royals game with a good friend of ours, and when Ray had to travel for work, I convinced my bestie to get a last minute plane ticket and come explore KC with me. Per usual, we had a great time. We ate some delish barbecue, found a great yoga studio, and binge watched Netflix. A writer friend of mine lives here, and he took us to his favorite spot, a really cool Irish pub with live music. We also crashed his weekly writer’s group gathering, after which we ended up closing down another bar. Kansas City is the site of the very first World Con I ever attended, so I have a soft spot for this city, and it didn’t disappoint!

4. A not so fun thing about the midwest – tornadoes. They’ve been touching down all around us. We left Nebraska just a day before a big one hit a few miles from where we’d been staying, and we’re heading into more unsettled weather. In these places, we have our animal carriers out and ready, we’ve located the storm shelter, and we keep the stuff we need for a quick exit all in one place. Hopefully, we won’t actually have to make a run for it in the middle of the night with four cats and a dog, but you never know!

5. If you are in the Dallas area, I’ll be signing books all weekend at Dallas Fan Expo June 7-9 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. I’ll post my full schedule soon, and maybe I’ll see you there!

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Five Things - February 26, 2024

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. Ray and I took Daisy hiking at Red Rock Canyon. I’ve been there once before, but every trail provides a different experience and view. This time, we put Daisy in a carrier and did a relatively moderate hike. When they say ‘moderate’ they do mean it. It may have only been 2.2 miles, but elevation and rocky terrain make for a fun journey. Check out my Instagram to see some gorgeous photos of the day. We really never get tired of seeing the country like this!

2. Okay, so we’re in Vegas, and when Ray booked us here, I grumbled a little. I’ve had fun in Vegas the two times I’ve been here. Great food, great shows, great hiking (see above), but I can only tolerate so much of the noise and spectacle. Ray could live here. We’re very different people, as anyone who knows us can attest, but I have to admit, I am having a really good time. Our home base is an RV resort that’s just beautiful. The site itself has a fantastic outdoor living space, complete with a bar, fireplace, sink, grill, and cool night lighting. The pool is toasty warm, the hot tub bubbly, and the people super friendly. We’re also a few miles outside the strip, so we don’t have to deal with any of it unless we want to. We’ve had one fantastic dinner and show night at Caesar’s Palace, and our big splurge happens next weekend when we’ll see U2 at the Sphere. Sometimes, it’s the places I’m not sure about that turn out to be pleasant surprises!

3. The mobile cat groomer is coming today, and just in time. I never realized how much difference it makes to have them regularly bathed and clipped. Living in such close quarters with our furry friends means our furniture gets, well, furry. I’ve been told it’s their undercoat that sheds apparently, and a good grooming takes care of that for about six months. Who knew?

4. Related, when the animals get a deep cleaning, so does the RV. Today, I am taking the comforters and chair covers to the laundry on-site. We have a washer and dryer on board, but they aren’t big enough for our king sized blankets and quilt. Most RV parks have laundry, and I love the wireless app that connects to the machines, turns them on, adds funds, and alerts you when your load is finished. It’s the little things!

5. As the end of February approaches, I’m pleased to say that for once in my writing career, I am on target with my goals. I’ve been working on my alter ego Maggie Clare’s romantic suspense series, with the intent to finish the final three books before school starts in June. My ‘writing sprint’ technique seems to be getting the job done, and I’m hopeful all three will be ready for the editor by the end of May. Fingers crossed!

Our itinerary, subject to change:

February 16 - March 4: Las Vegas, NV

March 4 - March 6: Meteor Crater, AZ

March 6 - 9: Albuquerque, NM

March 10 - 17: Austin, TX

March 18 - April 5: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

April 5 - 12: Fredericksburg, TX

April 12 - 19: Hot Springs, AK

April 19 - 24: Ozarks, AK

April 24 - 28: Topeka, KS

April 24 - May 12: Kansas City, MO

May 8 - 23: Chicago, IL

May 23 -28: Wisconsin Dells, WI

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Five Things - December 18, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. As 2023 draws to a close, it’s part of my practice to conduct a personal and professional year-end review. This particular year was unique. It was hard to know how to set goals, or even what realistic goals would look like, when our lifestyle was changing so dramatically. Would I still be productive during my favorite writing seasons? Would I manage to find a rhythm to my life and my work? Would I accomplish as much professionally as I hoped? Would I say the heck with it all, I’m going off the grid entirely and moving to the Colorado wilderness? Turns out, I’m not going off the grid, but I will be heading to Colorado this summer to start grad school. With so much uncertainty going into the year, asking whether or not I achieved my goals for 2023 doesn’t feel like the right question. I definitely didn’t write as much as I’d hoped, but I’d prefer to focus on the things I did accomplish and the amazing things we did experience this year. So, here are the top-three achievements for my professional highlight reel…

   • Dreamwalker went out on submission with my agent. No results yet, but in my professional career, this is the project that earned me an agent, and it’s the first time I’ve wanted to pursue a traditional publishing deal.

   • For the first time, I have several writing projects in process all at once. I’m in the middle of writing a fantasy novel (with dragons!), and in the middle of finishing the last three books in my alter ego Maggie Clare’s romantic suspense series. So, my accomplishment this year is that I have three half-finished books in my document files!

   • I was accepted into graduate school. I’ve been circling the idea for a long while, and this year, I applied, paid my deposit, and set up my school account and email. I’m really excited to be part of an academic community again, and I can’t wait to get started.

2. I’m in the process of sorting pictures from the past year to make a memory photo book. As I go through them all, I realize how much we’ve seen and done in 2023. This lifestyle has afforded us the opportunity to experience, in one year, things that might have taken a lifetime. We’ve stayed in twenty states, visited nine national parks, dropped anchor in big cities from New Orleans to Albuquerque to Portland, and found tiny little towns we’d never have discovered otherwise. This highlight reel is too big for a post, but I’ve documented much of it in pictures, and it’s been fun to look through them all and remember.

3. The holidays are a little different on the road. For many years, we mostly hosted events at our home in RI, and we loved it. This year, we went out to dinner for Thanksgiving, and for Christmas, we’ve rented an AirBnB so our family can gather. This way of celebrating feels temporary, until our children begin to establish traditions of their own, but we’ll be together nonetheless. We’re taking dad to see the Star Wars exhibit in Disney, watching a local production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Christmas Eve, and cooking a meal together on Christmas day. The sun is shining, and it’s pretty warm outside, so that’s a little different, but enjoying each other’s company and celebrating together is what really matters, even if we’re outside barbecuing in December!

4. As the sun sets on 2023, and Ray and I reflect on our first year as nomads, we both agree that despite where we are in the country, we do have a home, we simply bring it with us. We’ve also realized our home is more than our physical space, although we were surprised at how quickly we made that our own… Home is being with each other and having our fur babies with us. It’s our little routines, like morning coffee outside under the awning, cooking dinner together, and planning our calendar together. It’s sharing this adventure every day with the person you love.

5. “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ― T.S. Eliot

Our itinerary, subject to change:

November 19 - January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

January 3 - February 2: Chula Vista, CA

February 2 - 16: Palm Springs, CA

February 16 - March 1: Las Vegas, NV

March 1 - March 5: Meteor Crater, AZ

March 5 - 15: Albuquerque, NM

March 15 - 17: Amarillo, TX

March 17 - 24: Oklahoma City, OK

March 24 - April 5: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

April 5 - 12: Fredericksburg, TX

April 12 - 19: Hot Springs, AK

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Five Things - October 9, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. Summer and fall are now officially my favorite seasons, and with our mobile lifestyle, we can alternate between the two all year long! In addition to the perfect weather, both reflect my perfect wardrobe. Who can argue that sandals and sundresses or bathing suits and beach cover-ups aren’t the easiest and cutest attire? Similarly, a good flannel and cute boots just say fall flair! But honestly, I’ve always known that I’m affected by the lack of sunlight, so it make sense for us to follow the sun.

2. I don’t like to shop. You probably don’t believe that based on the above rant about clothes, but my wardrobe is now completely updated to match my favorite seasons thanks to a visit from my BFF and some additional on-line purchases. There’s only so much room in our tiny home, so my closets are now filled with clothes and shoes that fit me well, I actually like, and I feel good wearing. This is surprisingly satisfying!

3. I flew home this past weekend for a family visit and to attend a friend’s significant birthday. The only thing I miss about pulling up roots in RI is the easy ability to be with my family and community. It was so nice to catch up with everyone, and you can’t beat an old-school Italian Sunday dinner and card game at my parents’ house!

4. One of the unexpected things about living on the road is the quirky little towns we find that we’d otherwise never get to visit. Sometimes we’re aiming for a bigger city, but there’s no suitable campground, so we’ll find a place as close as we can get. Currently, we’ve set up camp in Petaluma, about an hour north of San Francisco, and it is just the most adorable town. We’ve had dinner on the river walk, wandered through the artsy downtown, and taken some fantastic yoga classes. Our National Park tour continued with a visit to the magical Muir Woods, and we drove back and forth over the Golden Gate Bridge a couple of times just for fun. So far, northern California has not disappointed!

5. I’ll be teaching two webinar classes in the month of October for the ARIA Writing Academy via Zoom. They’re only 90 minutes and very reasonably priced (only $35) for as much information as I can pack into the time slot. So, if you or anyone you know have interest, please follow the links below to register.

   KICK YOUR SCENE INTO ACTION - Wednesday, October 17 at 7 pm EST. As writers, we often visualize our action scenes as if they were on the big screen. But how do we translate the heart pounding, edge-of-the-seat, adrenaline rush that we get from watching a scene to the pages of our books? Whether you’re crafting a fight scene or a spaceship battle, these tips will help bring intensity to your scene and keep your readers turning the pages. New and experienced writers welcome! Click HERE for more info.

   PATHWAYS TO PUBLISHING - Wednesday, October 25 at 7 pm EST. There’s more than one way to bring your book baby to life! Publishing has evolved in the modern era offering authors many options. With innovative platforms such as Inkitt and Wattpad, and indie, hybrid, and traditional models thriving, writers have many opportunities to see their work in print. And, don’t forget the audio and digital markets! Register for an informative program and lively discussion on the what, why, and how of modern publishing. Click HERE for more info.

Our itinerary subject to change…

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

October 1 - 9: San Francisco, CA

October 9 - 30: Portland, OR

October 30 - November 12: Seattle, WA

November 12 - 19: Travel to Orange, CA

November 19 - January 3: Orange, CA

January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

January 3 - 14: Oceanside, CA

January 19 - February 2: San Diego, CA

February 2 - 16: Palm Springs, CA

February 16 - March 1: Las Vegas, NV

March 1 - March 5: Meteor Crater, AZ

March 5 - 15: Albuquerque, NM

March 15 - 17: Amarillo, TX

March 17 - 24: Oklahoma City, OK

March 24 - April 5: Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

April 5 - 12: Fredericksburg, TX

April 12 - 19: Hot Springs, AK

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Five Things - June 5, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. A fun thing happened the other day… My husband was filling out paperwork and had to list his emergency contact. The person at the desk saw my name and asked, “Is your wife the author Tabitha Lord?” Now, my work has certainly won some awards and had critical acclaim. Sales aren’t terrible, but I don’t have wide name recognition as a writer, so the fact that this gentleman, all the way out here in Colorado, knew who I was made me really, really happy. He said he loved my book and couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series. Sometimes, I feel like I am sending my books out into the void. I know this can be the nature of the beast, and the publishing industry is not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth it when someone falls in love with my stories.

2. Ray and I finally took the Jeep off-roading and it was amazing! We drove through mud, streams, up steep inclines, and down rocky trails. Great Sand Dunes National Park was another truly worthy destination. Besides thinking we were on Tatooine for a while, the vistas were spectacular and our back-trail experience a highlight of our travels.

3. It’s June already, and that means Denver Fan Expo is just around the corner! If you’re in the Denver area June 30- July 2, come say hello! I’ll be at the event signing books all weekend and moderating a couple of panels - ‘Not a Doctor, but I Play One in my Book’ and ‘A Hero, an Anti-hero, and a Villain Walk into a Bar.’

4. Writers, have you ever wondered if the idea you’ve been kicking around has enough substance to be your next novel? Amy and I had a fun discussion about this topic on our Author’s Buzz YouTube channel. Check it out here: Is My Idea Enough for a Book?

5. As we visit some amazing places, from the majestic mountains, to the stark desert, to the dense forests, I remember how restorative it is to spend time in nature. When I was a little girl, I loved nothing more than to be outside all day, climbing trees, picking berries and flowers, or lying on a bed of leaves staring at the sky. I couldn’t articulate it then, but for me, being in nature is a spiritual experience, where I feel connected to the world and at peace. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful, natural places in the world. “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our itinerary subject to change:

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-15: Salt Lake, UT

July 15-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Rock Springs, WY

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

October 1 - November 15: Pacific Northwest TBD

November 15 - January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

Five Things - May 15, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. Highlights from out time in Carlsbad, New Mexico include Sitting Bull Falls and Carlsbad Caverns. The first is this beautiful oasis in the middle of the rugged desert. We hiked the falls and swam in the natural pools at the base. Mother Nature at her finest! And the caverns, located about 60 miles from the falls, were simply amazing. After trekking down 75 stories (yes that’s the height of the Empire State building), we wandered for over a mile in the ‘Big Room,’ the most spectacular part of the underground cave system that makes up this incredible geological wonder. Seriously, check out my pictures on Instagram. They don’t do the cavern justice with regard to scale, but they do capture some of the more interesting formations.

2. Okay, so Roswell! I totally geeked out at the International UFO Museum, and we even listened to a lecture by one of the crash site researchers. The whole town gets into the spirit. McDonald’s looks like a spaceship and there are statues of little green men everywhere. Totally my kind of place!

3. The desert is dusty. Very dusty.

4. I think Ray and I are finally finding a healthy balance between work and play. Some days, we are busy working, and others we are out having a grand adventure. Mostly, we are doing what we’d hoped to do and spending real time in different parts of the country. Our journey is definitely a lesson in living in the moment and being present. “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” - Jim Rhon

5. Amy and I are having so much fun putting together these YouTube videos together for Author’s Buzz. First off, we get to catch up and have a little girl time every week, and then we talk about one of our favorite topics - writing! You can check out the latest here: Spring Check In & Writing Rhythm.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our itinerary, subject to change:

May 8-15: Carlsbad and Roswell, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-15: Salt Lake, UT

July 15-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Rock Springs, WY

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

October 1 - November 15: Pacific Northwest TBD

November 15 - January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

Five Things - May 1, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. I can’t believe it’s May 1st! Last summer, when we came up with this crazy idea to sell everything and tour the country, we mapped out tentative plans for nearly an entire year. I wondered then if spring would feel like spring in different parts of the country, and I didn’t just mean the weather. In the springtime, I’ve always felt a sense of personal renewal as the flowers bloomed and the leaves turned green. I felt like I was coming out of hibernation right alongside the natural world, blinking at the sun, stretching my brain, and waking up. Next to fall, spring has always been my most productive time, and I definitely feel that renewed sense of energy and creativity while on the road. Hopefully, that will continue to hold true.

2. “There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” — Rachel Carson

3. A few highlights from Texas… It’s, well, big, and we’ve only seen a fraction of it this go around. We’ve spent most of our time in and around Austin, mostly because we love the city. There’s so much to do here including enjoying fantastic food, music, and of course the BATS. I love the bats. They shoot out at dusk looking for tasty snacks, and they eat between 10 and 20 thousand pounds of insects every night. Thank you, bats! Flexibility remains key as we encounter things like Texas storms. When large hail, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes were predicted, we drove about 120 miles west to keep well out of the way. The drive turned out to be beautiful. We’ve made a note to spend time in Texas wine country on our next visit. There were miles and miles of vineyards and tasting rooms, and after that, ranch land as far as we could see. The words that came to mind as we made our way through the countryside were vast and rugged. We’ll definitely be back.

4. I’m buying new cowboy boots tomorrow, because when in Texas!

5. A final reminder that I’m teaching another Zoom webinar for the ARIA Writing Academy titled ‘Editing: Soup to Nuts’ on Thursday, May 11th at 7 pm EST. A well edited manuscript can mean the difference between a book that’s ready for the world and a document that sits in a drawer collecting dust. If you’re ready to tackle your edits, check out this class. Here’s a link to the full course description and registration: ARIA Writing Academy.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our itinerary, subject to change:

May 1-5: Austin, TX

May 5-8: San Angelo, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-15: Salt Lake, UT

July 15-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Rock Springs, WY

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Five Things - April 3, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. We bought a new RV! I know, I know, we just bought the first one, but this one is a significant upgrade. Honestly, when we started our journey, we didn’t know if we were going to love it enough to keep going after our initial cross country venture and therefore didn’t want to make a large investment. We also didn’t know what we didn’t know! We’ve learned so much in the last few months, and we definitely love it enough not to place an end date on our travels. Our original RV also had significant mechanical issues right from the start, and this last challenge confirmed for us that upgrading was the right choice. Check out my Instagram page @tabithalord very soon for some pics and videos of our new tiny home on wheels!

2. Related to the above, whenever Ray and I make a significant decision, we try to balance the idea of living in the moment, since none of us truly know what tomorrow holds, with planning to live a long time and behave responsibly with our time and resources. There’s never a ‘right’ answer to this, but I think placing the question at the center of our decision-making assures we at least make thoughtful choices.

3. People at RV parks and campgrounds are so kind! When you think about it, who would choose this lifestyle if they weren’t pretty social by nature? The neighbors are generally super close by, chances are you’ll need help with something sometime, and it’s fun to share a glass of wine with a new friend! It’s like being in an airport bar ALL THE TIME!

4. Yup, we made a third trip to Disney. The campground there is beautiful, and as season passholders, we’d hop into a park for an ice cream cone or a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean but not exhaust ourselves with long lines or long days. We spent some of our very favorite family vacations in Disney over the years, so we were both nostalgic as we wandered. And yes, we imagined someday taking our future grandchildren with us!

5. Last call for my Zoom webinar through the ARIA Writing Academy titled ‘Pathways to Publishing’ on Wednesday, April 5th at 7 pm. If there are any aspiring authors out there looking to learn more about the modern publishing industry and ways to bring your story to readers, check out the class. Here’s a link to the course description and registration: ARIA Writing Academy.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our itinerary, subject to change:

April 6-7: Panacea, FL

April 7-10: Lillain, AL

April 10-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-13: Rock Springs, WY

July 13-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Salt Lake City, UT

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Five Things - March 20, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. Happy birthday to our oldest and youngest kids who will be turning thirty and nineteen this month! It’s hard to believe I’ll be the mom of a thirty year old, gulp, and that our baby is almost out of her teens, but watching them all blossom into amazing human beings is an honor and a privilege.

2. I love airport bars. I may have mentioned this a time or two, and my most recent trip proved this is still the case. Truly, I meet the nicest people! Our tiny dog gets so excited when we approach the dog park that she practically leaps from the moving vehicle. It’s so darn cute watching her socialize with other dogs of all shapes and sizes and chase her ball around like a loon. I suspect she views the dog park like I do airport bars.

3. It’s hard to believe we’ve been here for two months, but we have, and this is our last week in Sarasota, Florida! We’ve had an amazing time here, with friends and family visiting and friends and family who live here. The beaches are beautiful, the yoga classes amazing, this resort so much fun, and the food options delicious, but we’re ready to see more of the country and continue our grand adventure. We’ll be making another stop in Disney before heading to the Alabama coast and then on to New Orleans.

4. We’ve loaded a new Author’s Buzz video on YouTube focused around editing. Amy and I really enjoy making these podcasts and sharing all the things we wished we knew when we were baby writers! In case you missed it, www.authorsbuzz.com is a new author resource website created by me and two other talented ladies. We provide tons of articles and tips on writing craft and the business of publishing, and we also host a fun little podcast on YouTube where we discuss all things writing related.

5. I’m very excited to teach a Zoom webinar for the ARIA Writing Academy titled ‘Pathways to Publishing’ on Wednesday, April 5th at 7 pm. If there are any aspiring authors out there looking to learn more about the modern publishing industry and ways to bring your story to readers, check out the class. Here’s a link to the course description and registration: ARIA Writing Academy.

Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

Feb 4 - March 27: Sarasota, FL

March 27 - April 2: Disney World, FL

April 2-3: Panacea, FL

April 3-10: Lillian, AL

April 10-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-13: Rock Springs, WY

July 13-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Salt Lake City, UT

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Five Things - March 6, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. For the writer types who follow this blog, I’ll be teaching a Zoom webinar titled “Pathways to Publishing” on Wednesday, April 5th at 7 pm through the Association of RI Authors. Here’s a link to the course description and registration: ARIA Writing Academy.

2. If you’re interested in free writing resources, don’t forget about AuthorsBuzz.com, a new author resource website created by me and two other talented ladies. We’ve been uploading new articles every week, and we’re also having a blast recording short YouTube videos where we discuss all the things we wish someone had told us when we were new writers!

3. Red tide is no fun. Apparently, there is an algae down here that releases a toxin into the water and air. When the levels get too high, this toxin kills fish and irritates the lungs and skin of beachgoers. Yuk! Thankfully, we have a pool at this RV resort, and we’ve been keeping cool there.

4. I got a new vacuum cleaner, and I have been enthusiastically sucking up dirt and cat fur with a vengeance. This may not sound like something to get excited about, but when we moved on board, we only brought a high powered dust-buster and a broom, thinking these would be sufficient to keep our space clean. Not so! It’s been a losing battle living with so many fur babies, and this new appliance makes me ridiculously happy. It’s the little things!

5. My mom and dad and their childhood friend are down here for a visit. This week, we’re also hanging out with some cousins, and let’s just say this group knows how to eat, drink, and make merry! The downside of our life on the road, and the thing I miss the most, is the easy, regular access I had to the people I love. Lunch dates with my mom, family barbecues by the pool in the summer, dad tagging along for a shopping day because he’s actually an excellent personal shopper, are all things we could just do because we lived in close proximity. Their visit feels like a comforting little piece of home!

Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

Feb 4 - March 27: Sarasota, FL

March 27 - April 2: Disney World, FL

April 2-3: Panacea, FL

April 3-10: Lillian, AL

April 10-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-13: Rock Springs, WY

July 13-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Salt Lake City, UT

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Five Things - February 13, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. Good friends feel like a cozy blanket on a rainy day.

2. I like campgrounds better than RV parks. This is something I’ve realized as we’ve stayed in a few different places now. RV parks are really fun and have a ton of amenities, but I like being surrounded by nature rather than a resort-like setting.

3. Having said that, I can appreciate where we’re at and enjoy it thoroughly because I don’t live there permanently. It’s easy to focus on the good things, explore our surroundings, and think of each stop as an adventure when we aren’t planning to stay.

4. A good yoga studio keeps me grounded. It’s about more than just the practice, but also the vibe of the people who gravitate there. There’s a sense of striving, of everyone finding balance and peace, that is familiar and encouraging.

5. Dive bars are so much fun! We found a little gem right across the street with cold beer, excellent barbecue, and fantastic live music.

Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

Feb 4 - March 31: Sarasota, FL

April 1-3: Panacea, FL

April 3-10: Lillian, AL

April 10-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-13: Rock Springs, WY

July 13-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Salt Lake City, UT

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Five Things - January 30, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. Our cat Beatrix never seems to learn. Back when we were refinishing the basement after some water damage, she managed to get walled in behind the new drywall. Yes, we had to break her out with a sledgehammer and have a fun conversation with the builders first thing the next morning! Well, since we’ve been living in the RV, she’s managed to get stuck in the closet behind the washer and dryer, and then, another day, she hopped into a drawer when no one was looking and got stuck again. Those little meows in the middle of the night are pathetic!

2. Regular plumbing maintenance is essential.

3. You can learn anything from YouTube, including how to clear your RV plumbing before you realize the importance of regular maintenance.

4. Flexibility is an asset. I mean, it is in regular life, but it’s especially necessary for life on the road. Sometimes flexibility looks like giving up half your day to figure out how to clear the gray water tank. See plumbing note above. Sometimes flexibility looks more fun, like when you can rearrange your schedule to coordinate a visit with some friends. In all cases, things are going to come up. Shit’s gonna happen. By keeping a flexible mindset, I can approach those things with less resistance and change my attitude toward them.

5. I’m learning not to overschedule myself. Anyone who’s seen my collection of notebooks, my online calendar, and my daily planner, knows I’m a little obsessive about managing my time and scheduling my day. I even schedule my down time. This approach generally works well for me as I’m able to be proactive when it comes to organizing my time rather than reactive. I am however, guilty of making unrealistic to-do lists. At the end of the day, when several items remain undone, I have to carry them over to the next day and rework my whole plan! One of the things I love about this RV life is the simplicity of it. Tidying up and taking care of the animals in the morning takes just a few minutes. There’s a limited amount of actual stuff to maintain and keep track of. This simplicity creates space. So, my focus lately has been not to fill up that space just because it’s there. I want to be as productive as ever, sure, but I also want to appreciate and live into the simplicity.

Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

Feb 4 - March 31: Sarasota, FL

April 1-3: Panacea, FL

April 3-10: Lillian, AL

April 10-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-13: Rock Springs, WY

July 13-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Salt Lake City, UT

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Five Things - January 16, 2023

In the spirit of new adventures, I’ve retitled my “Monday Musings” blog to “Five Things,” and you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. I love the simplicity of a tiny house (on wheels). It’s easy to clean, cozy, highly functional, and really does feel like home. Having downsized from a four bedroom house with a fully finished basement suite, I realize just how much stuff we accumulated that we didn’t use or need. It was cathartic to purge and donate and keep only the essentials in our space.

2. Dry January is going well. I’m sleeping better and overall I feel more clear-headed. I miss wine, but not as much as I thought, and it wasn’t even difficult when eating out with friends. Glad to feel in charge of this particular habit!

3. Just when I feel like a total badass, backing the RV into a tough spot or helping to mastermind a handy fix, I do something incredibly stupid, like close the slides with a closet door open. That little mishap cost us an extra trip to Home Depot and a few hours trying to get the door back on the hinge. When I mentioned it to a neighbor at one of the campsites, he said he’d just backed up into someone else’s car, so that made me feel a little better, LOL.

4. It’s important to close the awning during a wind or rainstorm. Lesson learned.

5. I’m really enjoying writing something completely new and different. I’ve wanted to write a fantasy for a while, but had too many other projects to finish. Now, I’m into the story deep enough for it to feel real. Stay tuned!

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

January 15-28: Clermont, FL

January 28-Feb 4: Disney World, FL

Feb 4 - March 31: Sarasota, FL

April 1-5: Panacea, FL

April 5-12: Lillian, AL

April 12-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

Five Things - January 2, 2023

Happy New Year everyone! Well, it’s official - we’re on the road. The house is sold, and we’ve moved full-time into our RV. Driving for three days down to Florida was exhausting, but from now on we’re going at a much more relaxing pace. We are learning a lot, really living in the moment, and becoming adept at ‘MacGyvering’ things! There’s so much to see and do, and at the same time, life feels much simpler. It’a a new start to a new year.

In the spirit of fresh starts and new adventures, I’ve retitled my “Monday Musings” blog to “Five Things,” and you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

1. I love driving first thing in the morning. In general, I am not a morning person, but there’s something magical about being on the road as the world awakens.

2. Plumber’s tape is my new favorite thing. The material scientist who invented it is a genius and deserves high praise. Wrap something up with this stuff, and leaks just stop! Seriously, it’s the best thing ever.

3. There is always construction on interstate 95. Always.

4. I really am a sunshine girl. Summer has always been my favorite time of year, but it really hit home when we reached the Carolina’s, the sun popped out, temperatures reached a lovely 75 degrees, and my mood instantly lifted. It makes me happy to think we’ll be chasing the sun for a while now.

5. I miss my friends, family, and neighborhood as much as I thought I would. I’m loving our new life already, but I have moments when a wave of sadness hits. I actually embrace this feeling because it means I created a meaningful life in Rhode Island. I surrounded myself with amazing friends, had a fulfilling career, and made tons of memories in our home at 59 Eastwick Rd. I’ll carry those experiences with me wherever I go.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

January 1-5: Disney World

January 5-15: Naples, FL

January 15-22: Clermont, FL

Jan 22 - March 31: Sarasota, FL

April 1-5: Panacea, FL

April 5-12: Lillian, AL

April 12-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

Monday Musings 12-19-22

The New Year is quickly approaching, and it’s certainly going to be a different kind of year for us! As we transition into our life of adventure on the road, we have an opportunity to consciously create new habits around work, health, and play.

Despite the fact that I’m an avid yoga practitioner, and Ray hits the gym nearly every day, the nature of our work is more sedentary than in years past. We also really, really enjoy our cocktails! We’re both looking forward to exploring different parts of the country and adding more daily activity into our lives. We’ve even discussed implementing ‘no drink January’ as part of the new deal. We’ll see how that goes…

On the work front, I’m excited about a few projects. Dreamwalker is still on submission, so there’s really nothing I can do around that for now, but I have already started a new fantasy novel tentatively titled The Dragon Dancer of Krysh. Yes, there are dragons! Meanwhile, my alter ego, Maggie Clare, will be finishing off the TSI romantic suspense series with three more books. Yep, I’m feeling pretty ambitious!

Finally, I’m planning to share my travel journey online. It’s time to refocus my social media presence, blog spaces, and overall professional platform anyway, so this seems the perfect time. In the coming weeks, look for those updates and for some new ways to follow our journey.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a very happy New Year!

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” - Seneca

Monday Musings 12-5-22

It’s December already, and things are a little crazy around here! We’re getting ready for the holidays when most of the kids will be home, we have an out of state wedding to attend before Christmas, and we have to be moved into the RV and on the road by December 28th. In addition, there’s still all the everyday work stuff to contend with. Don’t get me wrong, theses are all great things and I’m thrilled about every one of them, but I’m also exhausted, and it’s only Monday.

I won’t spend this post whining though. Instead, I want to focus on how excited I am about this next phase. For years, our lives were big and messy and full. We built careers, raised kids, hosted holidays and parties, traveled the world, and were fully engaged in our community. They were wonderful years, and even the challenges contributed to the rich experience. Now, I look forward to the simplicity ahead.

Our RV home will be small but our backyard grand. We will have less stuff to manage and more time for experiences. Since we aren’t rooted to one place, we will have the ability to go where we want, when we want, for however long we want. There is tremendous freedom in this version of simplicity.

Ironically though, the road to get here has been somewhat frenetic. Sorting, organizing, clearing out, and donating stuff, while at the same time turning our new RV into a home and tending to day to day operations in our lives, has been time consuming and complicated. As I push through the final days, I tell myself that it will all be accomplished in a just few more weeks - one day at a time, one step at a time, sometimes one breath at a time!

“Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.” - Charles Dudley Warner

Monday Musings 9-19-22

At the end of the week, Ray and I are flying to Florida for a wedding, and then we are driving our new RV home. If all goes as planned, we will close the sale on our house in October, and leave for a grand adventure after the holidays.

When our last child left for college, our house no longer really felt like a home. We essentially use two rooms - our master suite with the home office and the kitchen. The rest of the space even sounds empty, if that’s a thing. This is a house that needs a family, and so, I am ready to let it go.

When we leave, we will have lived here for nineteen years, almost to the day. Our youngest came home to this house after she was born, and all the other kids mostly remember it as the house they grew up in. There were birthdays and barbecues, holidays and celebrations, music lesson nights and Halloween parties. We laughed and cried and played here. We opened our home to family and friends when they needed a safe place to land.

It will be strange to wake up somewhere that isn’t here, but living the RV life will enable us to see the country, check off some bucket list items, drop anchor near our kids for a while, and figure out where we want to make our next permanent home.

We will be thrilled to hand this beautiful space over to a new family. They’ll make their own memories and create a home for themselves here, I have no doubt. Change is in the air! It’s exciting, and bittersweet, and exactly right.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable. - Helen Keller

IN OTHER NEWS:

I’ll be at The Big E on Friday, September 30th all day signing books in the Rhode Island building. Come say hello!